Yet another round of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) nationwide protests, this time against perceived ‘economic injustices’ being meted out to the people of Pakistan will kick off from Karachi, starting February 6.
Party leader Asad Umar made the announcement at a press conference at ‘Insaf’ House earlier yesterday. The protest will start from Karachi and will be led by Imran Khan, said Umar. The government is imposing huge taxes on petroleum, utilities and infrastructure, which is tantamount to economic exploitation of the common man, he said. The leader also expressed solidarity with the workers of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), who are protesting the privatisation of the national airlines. Two of the protesters died in the firing at the rally on Tuesday. Umar condemned the unfortunate killing and said that PTI stands firm with the struggling employees.
Umar claimed that Pervaiz Rasheed accused PTI of being in favour of PIA’s privatisation, which is absolutely wrong. “We have always demanded that such institutions be made independent, instead of working under ministries,” he claimed.
He criticised the government for privatising the national airline and added that its bill was passed by the National Assembly within one-and-half-hours, without any debate over it. Commenting on the tax amnesty scheme introduced by the government, he said that it was a malafide act that would only benefit corrupt people. He said that PTI will support the decision of PIA’s joint action committee in their struggle against privatisation. He expressed his suspicions that PIA’s privatisation will personally benefit certain Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz leaders.