‘No ruler wants inflation’: Sheikh Rashid reacts to widespread criticism

ISLAMABAD: The PTI-led federal government drew the wrath of its political rivals on Saturday after it increased the price of petrol by Rs10.49 per litre and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs12.44 per litre.

The new price of petrol, effective from today (October 16), is Rs137.79 per litre, while that of HSD is Rs134.48.

Reacting to widespread criticism, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that “no ruler ever wants inflation. Justifying Islamabad’s step, he said, “The wave of inflation has affected the entire world.”

The government came under heavy criticism today after the petroleum prices went up by Rs 9 to 12.

The opposition also termed the fresh petrol price hike a failure of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s immediate resignation from office to provide relief to people.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a statement, said that the PTI had brought a tsunami of inflation in the country by raising prices of petroleum products to a record new high.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif also termed the increase in POL products’ prices as a “mini-budget.”

Over speculations of a rift between the government and the military establishment, Rashid said that the country’s environment was fine.

“Some elements were trying to make sensitive institutions controversial. Every issue will be resolved by next Friday,” he claimed.