While answering PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call, PTI supporters held countrywide protests against inflation on Sunday. Major cities of Pakistan saw a huge turnout as people thronged the streets.
The country is currently witnessing record inflation as the incumbent government rolled back subsidies, leading to massive price hikes. From June 16, the petrol prices have been at Rs233.89 per liter after a hike of Rs24.03, HSD at Rs263.31 per liter following a rise of Rs59.16 per liter, kerosene oil at Rs211.47 per liter after a surge of Rs29.49 and light diesel oil at Rs207.47 per liter after an increase of Rs29.16.
Needless to say, the increase in prices has added to the inflationary pressure on the public. The majority of the nation is struggling to make ends meet. As a result, PTI Chairman called for a nationwide peaceful protest on Sunday.
Read more: How can Pakistanis save petrol while driving?
Impressive scenes were witnessed on Sunday as large crowds had gathered in the streets of many cities. Large screens were installed at major protest venues for Imran Khan’s virtual address with local party leaders galvanizing rallies with speeches and slogans against the “imported government”.
The anti-inflation protests were held at Islamabad’s F-9 Park, Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Qauideen, Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, Faisalabad’s Ghanta Ghar chowk, Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market, Multan’s Sahah Abdullah chowk and Peshawar’s Hasht Nagari Gate.
Protests across the country against inflation, load shedding and Imported Government,
Thank You Pakistan.#ProtestOnSunday#مہنگائی_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/6dWJ7fI4K0— Farid Malik (@StaunchInsafi) June 19, 2022
Imran Khan’s message to the masses
Imran Khan joined the protests via video link. He said that it is a national duty to raise a voice against atrocities and injustice. Inflation has been massively increased by the present government that is affecting the poor people, he added.
He said that the present government that had organized an anti-inflation march during the PTI government has now massively hiked the diesel and petrol rates by Rs115 and Rs85 respectively.
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Moreover, Imran Khan asked PTI workers to be prepared for his call as they want a date for fresh elections and protests will continue till the announcement of the election date.