By Our Correspondent
Lahore: The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) has announced plans to launch a protest movement in Lahore against inflation, rising taxes and what it described as anti-public economic policies.
PMML Lahore General Secretary Chaudhry Hameed-ul-Hassan Gujjar criticised the government’s economic strategy, accusing authorities of placing a heavy financial burden on citizens through increased petroleum levies, higher utility costs and excessive taxation.
He claimed the government had collected more than Rs12 trillion from the public over the past nine months while people continued to struggle with worsening economic conditions.
According to Mr Gujjar, repeated increases in petroleum prices, electricity and gas tariffs, along with rising prices of essential commodities, have severely affected daily life, particularly for labourers, salaried workers, low-income families and the middle class.
“People are facing inflation, poverty, unemployment and financial stress, but instead of providing relief, the government is imposing additional economic burdens,” he said.
He alleged that the authorities were using taxation measures to boost state revenues at the expense of ordinary citizens, adding that the public could no longer tolerate such policies.
Mr Gujjar said the PMML would begin a large-scale public campaign to mobilise citizens against inflation and economic exploitation. He added that the party would continue raising its voice for the protection of public rights.
The PMML leader also demanded an immediate reduction in petroleum levies, lower electricity and gas prices, strict monitoring of essential commodity rates and emergency steps to control inflation.
