Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday lashed out at the government, accusing it of begging from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and inflicting inflation upon the country.
Addressing a mammoth rally against inflation, the PTI chairman said that Rs 500 billion currency notes have been printed in only six months, which has affected the people.
He also said that the anti-inflation “tsunami” would reach Karachi on January 6 and Rawalpindi on January 24.
Khan said that politicians who have businesses abroad should bring back their wealth, otherwise there will be no progress in the country nor will there be any hope in tackling inflation.
He said that elites safeguarding their wealth and getting tax breaks were the main reasons why inflation has wrecked the country.
Earlier, speaking to reporters outside his residence prior to his departure to the rally, he questioned about the number of decisions taken by parliament on inflation.
Imran was flanked by PTI leaders Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan on a customised truck.
The PTI chief also said that staging rallies was a requirement for addressing the issue and that he would announce his agenda to tackle the menace of rising prices.
NINE-POINT AGENDA: Addressing the historic procession, the PTI chairman pressed the rulers to pay heed to the miseries of the poor. He said that the PTI would stand by the people and fight against government’s hostile economic administration. He asserted that the PTI was the only party that has a comprehensive plan which had already been floated for the government in parliament to drive the country out of economic crisis and to bring prices down to the coherent level keeping in view the buying capacity of people at large.
Demanding the implementation of his nine-point formula for economic revival, PTI chairman pressed the government:
1. To bring in peace in the country by implementing APC mandate through dialogues and detaching itself with the US war against terror and bringing halt to the illegal, overwhelmingly disastrous drone strikes within Pakistan’s territorial boundaries.
2. To pursue the wealthier political class to bring back home its wealth dumped in the foreign banks so that investments could rise and scope of employment in the country flourish subsequently.
3. To bring a halt to the corruption and embezzlements within the system.
4. To stop printing currency notes, to reduce inflation and to work on strengthening the purchasing capacity of masses.
5. To reform tax structure and to arrange for collecting taxes from 3 million people already identified by FBR. Reduction in GST and cutting down the prices of agricultural inputs, including the fertilizers are also encouraged so that access of food could be ensured at all levels.
6. To arrange for dismantling cartels and to keep prices of commodities in control.
7. To give up luxurious living and heavy spending from public exchequer.
8. To reduce petroleum and electricity prices and ensure maximum and cheap supply of energy to the masses by brining theft and line losses to control.
9. To decrease depending upon foreign loans and aids and bring the influence of international monitory institutions within the economic framework to an end.
Khan also asserted the need to convert governor houses into public places and to plan for generating revenue out of these splendid edifices. He encouraged simple living too.
Reiterating his stance over May 11 rigging, the PTI chairman said that his party would not give up fighting for refining electoral system in the country.
Similarly, PTI took out a rally in Quetta against the skyrocketing prices of essentials. A large number of women and children also participated in the protests.
The rally concluded at the Quetta Press Club after passing through various areas of the city. Quetta PTI President Qasim Khan Suri addressed the protesters.