PTI Political Committee Expresses Serious Concern Over Rising Inflation, Petroleum Prices and Heavy Electricity Bills

ISLAMABAD (Daily Qudrat): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political committee has expressed serious concern over rising inflation in the country, petroleum product prices and heavy electricity bills. LPG, which is available at Rs238 per kg, is being sold to consumers at up to Rs700 per kg — this is a serious injustice to the people, and continuously placing an economic burden on the people is unacceptable.

According to the statement issued by the political committee on X, the meeting of PTI’s political committee held a detailed review of the country’s overall political situation, the treatment meted out to PTI chief Imran Khan and his family, the arrests of party leaders and workers, ongoing political victimisation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorism and the serious economic problems faced by the people.

The political committee, terming the detention of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, the provincial assembly Speaker and other parliamentarians illegal, demanded their immediate release. The committee made clear that keeping elected public representatives in detention is an insult to democratic values and the public mandate. The political committee strongly condemned the arrest and detention of these leaders and stressed ensuring their immediate release.

The political committee expressed deep concern over reports of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi being shifted to hospital. The committee said that taking such steps without taking the family into confidence is extremely worrying. Not informing Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s families in time is contrary to basic human rights and legal requirements.

The political committee demanded that the Supreme Court’s orders regarding Imran Khan’s treatment be implemented immediately and completely, his family be kept regularly informed about his health, and the family be provided meeting facilities. Appropriate medical facilities and meetings with family should also be ensured for Bushra Bibi.

The political committee strongly condemned the arrest of Imran Khan’s sisters and the treatment meted out to them. The committee demanded that Imran Khan’s sisters be released immediately and allowed to meet and inquire after Imran Khan. The political committee said that depriving a family of the basic right to inquire after their loved one’s well-being and to meet them is unacceptable.

The political committee expressed serious reservations over the arrests of MNA Adil Bazai and other party leaders and workers, especially actions taken under MPO. The committee demanded that all arrested leaders and workers be released immediately and no one be made a target of revenge on the basis of political differences.

The committee also demanded the release of those leaders and workers who were re-arrested after being released under court orders. Such actions raise serious questions regarding the rule of law and respect for judicial orders.

The political committee strongly condemned raids and vandalism at the homes of former federal minister Omar Ayub Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Shah Ahad and other party leaders. The committee said that targeting opponents’ homes and families to suppress them is a condemnable act.

Raids on party workers’ homes, illegal arrests and harassment incidents were also condemned, and a demand was made that such actions be stopped immediately and the arrested persons be released.

The political committee, strongly condemning the rising incidents of terrorism in the country, said that terrorism is a national cancer for whose elimination effective and serious steps are indispensable. Protection of citizens’ lives and property is the state’s basic responsibility.

The committee made clear that actions against terrorism should not be used for political revenge. Along with establishing law and order, the basic rights of political workers, the public and supporters of opposing political parties must also be protected.

The political committee, expressing serious concern over rising inflation, petroleum product prices and heavy electricity bills in the country, said that government policies have made the common man’s life miserable. The poor and middle class are already unable to run their households on limited incomes, while increases in the costs of essential food items, transport and energy have multiplied people’s difficulties.

The committee also expressed concern over the injustice done to the people in LPG prices. According to reports, despite LPG being obtained at Rs238 per kg, it is being sold to consumers at up to Rs700 per kg — this is a serious injustice to the people. The relevant authorities should immediately take notice of this difference, examine prices and take action against profiteering.

The political committee demanded that the people be given real relief in petroleum product and electricity prices, heavy electricity bills and additional financial burden be reduced, and the prices of basic necessities, including LPG, be brought within the common man’s reach.

The committee said that instead of giving relief to the people, continuously placing an economic burden on them is unacceptable under any circumstances. It is the government’s responsibility to rid the people of inflation, not to make even earning two meals a day difficult for them.

The political committee reiterated the resolve that PTI will continue its struggle with full perseverance for the release of Imran Khan, the restoration of democracy, the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and the achievement of justice.

The committee made clear that there is no grouping or division of any kind within the party. The entire party is united with Imran Khan’s leadership, his ideology and his mission. Setting political differences aside, all party leaders and workers will continue to struggle for common objectives.

The political committee stressed that parliamentarians, the party’s parliamentary group and other relevant stakeholders should be fully included in the consultation process, and terming contacts with all stakeholders important, said that in the future course of action, parliamentarians’ proposals and reservations will be given special importance.

The political committee termed maintaining party discipline extremely necessary in this difficult political situation. The committee decided that action will be taken under uniform principles against any individual violating the party’s established discipline and policy.

The committee made clear that irresponsible statements outside the party platform and violations of organisational discipline will not be ignored. In this regard, compliance with the rules will be ensured so that unity, solidarity and organisational stability remain intact within the party.

The political committee decided that the party’s future strategy and future course of action will be finalised as soon as possible and presented before workers and the people. The committee expressed the resolve that the party will continue its struggle despite the current political pressure and will play a full role for public rights, democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution.