The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party has issued a 72-hour “ultimatum” to the federal government to retract the recent increase in petroleum prices, warning of severe consequences if prices are not reduced. On Wednesday, the government increased the price of petrol by up to Rs 22.20 and diesel by Rs 17.20 per liter, citing the continuing economic crisis and rising inflation.
Saad Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the TLP, stated at a press conference on Friday that the party would do “what it is known for” if the government did not withdraw the price hike. He was referring to the protest marches that brought the federal capital to a halt in the recent past.
According to Rizvi, the government should reduce expenditures by reducing its “army of ministers and advisers” and cease providing petrol to politicians and government officials as they consume “millions of liters” every day.
In addition, he criticized Pakistan’s government for repeatedly seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in spite of Pakistan’s debt increasing by 23% over the course of the past year. The government is now considering inviting the IMF to inspect the nuclear facilities and weapons sites of the country, according to Rizvi.
TLP has faced severe criticism for not speaking out against the current government following the recent increase in petroleum prices. In the past, Rizvi had criticised the PTI government for raising prices, which led many people to question the party’s silence after the PML-N government raised tariffs despite skyrocketing inflation.
As a result of the increasing inflation and the economic crisis in the country, TLP made the announcement. The federal government has yet to respond to TLP’s ultimatum.
