Hike in gas rates a 'cruel' step: Pakistan Awami Tehreek

Pakistan is confronted with the worst economic crisis and people of Pakistan are bearing the brunt of the energy deficit. Unemployment, dearness, terrorism and a strong feeling of insecurity had already made their life miserable; the recent 18% hike in gas rates has deprived them of their right to live honourably.

These views were expressed by Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, president of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, and Anwar Akhtar Advocate, PAT's Secretary General, in a meeting with PAT delegation from Sindh, which called on them in the party secretariat the other day. Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani branded the increase in gas rates as the government's 'new year gift' for the poor people. PAT demands of the government to reverse its anti-people hike in power and gas rates. He said that the country was mired in the abyss of lethal problems and successive governments of both military and politicians did nothing to decrease the problems. He urged the government to find solution to the energy crisis on the urgent basis through short-medium-and-long-term policies. He told the delegation that unannounced load shedding and gas shortage was taking a heavy toll on the local industry. There are virtually no businesses, and unemployment is on the rise.

Anwar Akhtar Advocate, PAT Secretary General, emphasized that fast-track initiatives should be adopted to make life easier for people of Pakistan. The provision of subsidy on essential items of daily use could be a step in the right direction. He said that if the government resolved law and order problem and overcame energy crisis, the foreign and local investors would have no problem in investing their capital in the country. The delegation apprised Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani about the party matters and sought his guidance on organizing the party in Sindh.