Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has held the petroleum minister responsible for the present petrol crisis and alleged that the government is being run on “ad hoc basis” by corrupt officials.
“How can the government be expected to deal with something as big as the menace of terrorism when it is unable to even resolve the petrol crisis?” said the PTI chief while addressing a press conference at his Bani Gali residence where two leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Riaz Fatiana and Saeed Virk announced their decision to join PTI.
“The petroleum minister is not even aware of non-payment of Rs 200 billion dues to Pakistan State Oil (PSO),” said Khan, adding that it speaks volumes of the minister’s incompetency. Putting the onus of the crisis on the minister, Khan said the crisis emerged as PSO has defaulted due to the non-payment of dues.
He also criticised the minister for not appointing a permanent head of PSO, alleging that ad-hoc heads are engaged in “corruption”.
“The entire system is being run on ad-hoc basis and the country is being destroyed,” said Khan, adding that electricity and petrol prices would have been further slashed if PTI had not ended it the sit in. He pointed out that electricity prices are being increased even though oil prices are going down.
NO MORE SIT-INS:
In reply to a question, Khan said, “The sit-in phase of PTI’s protests has passed. I will announce the next course of action at the party’s workers’ convention on Sunday (today).”
PTI has decided to end the sit-ins because “we do not want to become a hurdle in the war against terrorism”, said the party chief.
As for returning to the parliament after the verdict of the proposed judicial commission, Khan said that PTI would think about it after the commission’s verdict regarding poll rigging.
PTI will not join the deliberations of the committee for electoral reforms, he added.
‘SECURITY AT APS IS ARMY’S NOT KP GOVT’S RESPONSIBILITY’:
Khan said that the security of Army Public School Peshawar was the responsibility of the army, adding that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government could not be held responsible for the lack of security at the school which was attacked by Taliban terrorists.
Khan said that the performance of the KP government is not coming in the light as it does not spend billions on advertising its achievements.
“The KP government has introduced reforms in education, health and the notorious patwari culture,” he said.
The PTI chief expressed regret over the loss of lives during the crackdown against qabza mafia in Peshawar.
Regarding publication of blasphemous caricatures in French magazine Charlie Hebdo, the PTI chief opined that OIC leaders should have shown courage and raised the issue at relevant forums.
“If it is not permitted to make comments against Christianity, why were the blasphemous cartoons allowed against our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the name of freedom of expression?” questioned the PTI chief.
Also speaking at press conference, PTI Central Senior Vice President Asad Umer said that the default by PSO has brought a bad name to the country.
He rejected the petroleum minister’s assertion that the fuel shortage occurred due to increase in petrol demand after the dip in prices.
“With the increase in demand, the income generated also increases,” said Umer, terming the crisis “a clash over commission”.
“The confrontation between institutions is harming people,” he added.