ISLAMABAD: Opposition leaders have strongly criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech and the government’s historic relief package.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the prime minister’s relief package was “nothing but a joke”.
“The prime minister claims a few families will benefit from the 30pc discount for only six months on ghee, flour and lentils. In three years, ghee increased 108pc, flour 50pc and gas 300pc. Thirty percent is too little, too late for 200 million people facing historic inflation, poverty and unemployment,” he said.
PM package is nothing but a joke. PM claims few families will benefit from 30%discount for only 6months on Ghee, Flour & lentils. In 3yrs Ghee increased 108%, Flour 50% & Gas 300%. 30% is too little, too late for 200 million ppl facing historic inflation, poverty & unemployment. pic.twitter.com/IZ8Ibp80n7
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) November 3, 2021
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif said that PM Imran’s address spelled “further doom” for the masses.
“The speech was an admission of incompetence, helplessness and utter administrative paralysis. PM Imran came across as someone who has lost control of everything,” he said, adding that the PTI govt had become a liability.
Today’s address of Imran Khan spells further doom for the masses. This speech was an admission of incompetence, helplessness and utter administrative paralysis. PM came across as someone who has lost control on everything. PTI govt has become a liability.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 3, 2021
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman called it a “bizarre speech by the blame minister of Pakistan”.
“Says all the unprecedented inflation, tsunami of oil, gas prices, essentials is because of past governments and international markets. The PPP faced higher global oil prices over $130 per barrel but local petrol was half of today’s prices,” she said.
She added the PM Imran Khan had not taken responsibility for the economic crisis, skyrocketing inflation, unprecedented public debt, the plummeting rupee and “just said get ready for more price hikes”. “And oh, a ‘relief package’ for 20 million out of 220 million people. Which package? Ghee prices rose as he spoke,” she said.
Basically he took no responsibility for the economic crisis, skyrocketing inflation,unprecedented public debt,plummeting rupee and just said get ready for more price hikes. And oh, a “relief package” for 2 crore out of 22 crore people. Which package? Ghee prices rose as he spoke
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 3, 2021
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb called on the premier to resign after announcing the “fraud” package. “PM Imran has not announced a relief package, he has announced a takleef [pain] package,” she said.
The PML-N leader said that instead of announcing a package, the incompetent and corrupt prime minister should announce his resignation.
“The next six months will see more inflation, unemployment and economic catastrophe. Is this a relief package? Flour, sugar, electricity, gas, cotton, petrol will be more expensive. Is this your relief package?” she asked.
USC revoke notification on ghee price hike
The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) withdrew notification regarding an increase in the prices of ghee and cooking oil.
USC spokesperson said the prices were increased after manufacturers increased the rates of the commodities.
He said there will be no increase in the price of subsidised ghee, as well as other subsidised items, adding that the USC aimed to provide quality products to the people at low prices.
Earlier the USC had increased the prices of ghee and cooking oil. According to the price list that would have been effective from Novemebr 3 (today), the prices of various brands of cooking oil and ghee were increased by up to Rs65 and Rs53 per litre respectively.
The decision to hike up the prices had come as Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the “biggest welfare package in the country’s history”. Under the Rs120 billion subsidy programme, eligible families will be able to purchase ghee, flour, and pulses at 30 per cent lower prices for the next six months.
