LAHORE – Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the federal government of Pakistan to withdraw the latest increase in the prices of petroleum products and warned it of consequences if the decision is not withdrawn.
On February 15, the Pakistani government increased the price of petrol by Rs22.20 per litre and diesel by Rs17.20 per litre, triggering another wave of inflation and price hike in the cash-strapped country, which is already facing a high risk of default on international loans.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday, Saad Rizvi said the TLP would do “what it is known for”, a reference to the religious group’s recent protest marches that brought the federal capital to a standstill, if the government does not withdraw the increase in fuel prices.
“I am giving a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to withdraw the increase in the prices of petroleum products,” Rizvi said.
72 hours warning to the government of Pakistan #الٹی_میٹم72گھنٹوں_کا pic.twitter.com/sTzrmZ3btZ
— شہزاد رضوی (@shahzadrizvi22) February 17, 2023
Rizvi said that Pakistani rulers were begging money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the 23rd time in 75 years. He said that Pakistan’s debt had increased by 23 per cent in just one year. He claimed that the rulers were now considering to allow IMF officials to visit Pakistan’s nuclear plants and arms sites.
“The poor man has been squeezed to such an extent that he is unable to even think of a protest,” he added.
Rizvi said the government should cut its expenses by cutting to size its “army of ministers and advisers”. He demanded that supply of free petrol to politicians and government officials must be stopped immediately because they were using “millions of litres” every day.
“The office-bearers [of the party] should go to everyone, including the business community, and tell them that TLP is standing with them and that a Islamic system is the only hope,” he added.
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The ultimatum from the TLP chief came after his party was widely criticised on social media for not calling out the current government over the recent fuel price hike.
Rizvi had lashed out at the PTI government when it raised the fuel prices more than a year ago. Many questioned the silence of the TLP after the PML-N-led coalition government raised the fuel prices despite a record inflation in the country.