PML-N leaders train guns at centre over its ‘amateur’ behaviour

–Shehbaz Sharif criticises Imran Khan-led government for increasing gas prices, says backtracking on promises shows lack of vision

–Ahsan Iqbal says country can’t be run by auctioning cars; warns opposing govt’s missteps after 100 days

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday criticised the Imran Khan-led government for backtracking on its promises and increasing gas prices despite Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s clarification.

Reacting to the increase in gas prices by up to 143 per cent, PML-N chief and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government increased gas, electricity and fertilizers’ prices just 20 days after assuming charge. “Turns out, there was no truth to the promises of relief that Prime Minister Imran Khan made to the masses before coming to power,” he said while demanding the government to take back its decision.

“We [PML-N] condemn the government’s decision that has added to the miseries of the people,” the opposition leader said, adding that he and his party rejected the “record increase” in gas prices.

Shehbaz also said that 60 per cent consumers would be facing an increase of 15 to 30 per cent and this would severely affect the poor. “Such rookie missteps prove that the PTI-led government lacks vision and experience. They do not have any policies and all they are doing is experimenting on the masses,” he said.

‘CAN’T RUN COUNTRY BY AUCTIONING CARS’:

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal also took a jibe at the government and said the country would not be able to sustain itself by “auctioning cars and opening governor houses”.

“Reports are coming in that the government is trying to shoot itself in the foot with the development budget,” said Iqbal while addressing media representatives outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

He claimed that for the past six months, the country’s development portfolio had been suspended and questioned, “How can any nation prosper when no development work has been done for the last six months?”

The PML-N leader further claimed that the incumbent government’s stance on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was also unclear. “Running the country is not for amateurs who think they can build dams through collecting charity,” said Iqbal in an apparent criticism of the ongoing donation drive.

He added that during the PML-N’s reign, Rs122 billion had been released to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam and the land had also been purchased for the purpose.

Iqbal also warned the government that it had a free hand for the first 100 days after which the opposition would oppose any misstep.