TLP warns govt to reverse fuel hike within 72 hours

Saad Hussain Rizvi, chief of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), has given the federal government an “ultimatum” of 72 hours to reverse the recent increase in the price of petroleum products or face catastrophic consequences.

In reaction to the nation’s skyrocketing inflation and ongoing economic crisis, the government increased the price of gasoline and diesel by 22 and 20 rupees per liter, respectively, on Wednesday.

On Friday, Saad Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the TLP, commented at a press conference in Lahore. He was referring to recent protest marches that crippled the nation’s capital.

Rizvi, the government has been given a 72-hour ultimatum to reverse the hiked price of petroleum products.

He also stated that Pakistan’s debt had climbed by 23% in just one year and that the country’s leaders had appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance for the twenty-third time in the past seventy-five years. Furthermore, he claimed that the government considered compelling the IMF to tour its nuclear and military facilities.

He said, “The poor fellow has been pressed to the point where he cannot even consider protesting.”

Rizvi suggested that to reduce costs, the government should cut the “army of ministers and advisers.” In addition, he stated that lawmakers and other government officials should no longer be provided with free gasoline because they consume “millions of liters” daily.

He continued, “The office-bearers [of the party] should inform everyone, even the business community, that TLP stands with them and that an Islamic system is their only hope.”

The TLP’s decision follows strong criticism of the party’s failure to denounce the present administration for the most recent price rise, as Rizvi did when the PTI government raised prices. Once the PML-N-led administration raised tariffs amid record inflation, many questioned the party’s silence.