Karachi, October 29, 2021: Leading the Regal Chowk rally against the growing economic crisis and crippling inflation in the country, Vice President Sherry Rehman said, “PTI government has broken a 70-year record of inflation over the past 3 years. Everyone is out on the roads protesting against this incompetent government and asking for the prime minister to resign. Inflation has reached 9% in Pakistan according to the World Bank which is higher than other South Asian countries in the region and instead of fixing this crisis, the government has also warned of higher inflation. This is exactly why PPP is marching today against crippling inflation, and unaffordable life in Naya Pakistan. It is clear to us that Imran is no longer on one page with the people of Pakistan “.
Waving an electricity bill at the crowd Rehman said, should we burn this bill now like you used to on a container in D Chowk? When the crowd roared burn it, she said “No, we don’t burn bills and put people in more difficulties than they already face in Naya Pakistan. But we want the old electricity rates back that we’re on the bill he burnt in Purana Pakistan “.
“Unemployment rate has reached 16% as of 2021 whereas it was 6% in 2018. This government continues to release dubious lower unemployment rate, but it is quite clear that unemployment has been on a stark rise. In fact, they have been dismissing employees instead of fulfilling their promises of 10 million jobs. On the other hand, poverty rate in Pakistan has been increasing since 2018, when it was 21.9% and has now increased by 7.4% in the 3 years of this government,” she added.
Addressing the inflation in the country, Rehman said, “Inflation has been on an exponential rise since the PTI government came into office; In 2018 inflation was at 5.07% but has sharply increased as it was 9% in September 2021. The inflation rate is at 12.66% year-on-year meanwhile the government is busy blaming others for inaction to mask their own incompetence. Food prices across the board have doubled while other essential food items such as ghee, oil, sugar, flour and poultry have become unaffordable for the masses. In 2020 the food inflation in Pakistan had soared to a whopping 20% which was the highest in the region”.
“The government claims that the fuel prices are so high because of the increase in international oil prices but during PPP’s tenure, when global economies were hit by financial crises, our government decided to give relief to the people and not to the status quo. The oil prices are much lower now ($84/bbl) than they were during PPP’s time ($110/bbl) yet domestic oil prices were affordable,” she added.
Addressing the frequent price hikes by the PTI government, Rehman said, “There is no end to the cruelty displayed by the PTI government as petrol prices go up every 15 days. Petrol prices have increased by 49% while electricity rates have gone up by 57%. Whereas the price of gas has increased by 350% in three years. Industries are being closed due to the ineffective policies of the government”.
“We are on one page with the people and God, while the PM and his government’s one page is torn with everyone, the people of Pakistan, the IMF, his selectors, and now America doesn’t call either,” she added.
PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman concluded by saying, “PPP will always be standing with the people of Pakistan as we are on the same page with them unlike this government. People are at their wits’ end due to the incompetence of this government. Considering the prevailing situation, its only fair that the PM resigns”.
The rally ended with calls of Go Niazi Go and Wazeer e Azam Bilawal.
