Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the massive hike in fuel prices and what it described as short-sighted policies that were pushing Pakistan deeper into political, economic and institutional instability. The party also expressed alarm over what it alleged was the continued denial of constitutional and democratic rights, suppression of peaceful political activities and increasing attacks on political workers. In a statement issued by the PTI Central Media Department on Tuesday, party Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticised the Punjab government over what he described as an ongoing crackdown on PTI workers and raids on the homes of party leaders, saying that such actions would not be tolerated.
He said these measures would neither weaken the people's resolve nor diminish their support for democratic rights, adding that the September 27 peaceful march would be held at all costs. He warned that the government would ultimately have to leave office, saying its days in power were numbered. Waqas also criticised the government for approving a supplementary grant to procure bulletproof vehicles for dignitaries attending an international conference.
"When the government has the option of borrowing or renting vehicles for a few days, why burden an already impoverished nation with a multibillion-rupee expenditure?" he asked.