PTI Rejects New Fuel Price Increases

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has opposed the latest increase of up to Rs13.80 per litre in petrol and high-speed diesel prices, despite global oil prices remaining stable or declining.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that the government’s pricing mechanism remains unchanged: although global oil prices have fallen, any modest increase abroad is quickly passed on to consumers, accompanied by additional taxes.

During Imran Khan’s administration, petrol was maintained at Rs150 per litre even amid the most severe global crude oil price surge. Those who previously called for petrol at Rs70 per litre now accept prices ranging from Rs300 to Rs400. The current regime has mastered the practice of burdening the public while protecting its own shortcomings.

The PTI’s agricultural wing has advocated for the establishment of a transparent, rule‑based petroleum pricing system.

In a recent incident in Hasilpur, PTI alleged that a family, overwhelmed by poverty and unable to meet basic expenses such as rent or a Rs17,500 electricity bill, allegedly poisoned their two young children before committing suicide, claiming the children had been crying for milk they could not afford.

PTI accused the government of trying to suppress a peaceful movement in Azad Jammu and Kashmir by deploying Frontier Corps personnel and Rangers and imposing a month‑long communication blackout.

PTI stated that the Joint Awami Action Committee’s demands for affordable electricity and flour are legitimate. The party warned that any election held under such restrictions would constitute a predetermined selection rather than genuine democracy, urging the immediate removal of the restrictions. PTI affirmed its support for the people of Kashmir and its decision to boycott any elections there.

Wheat crisis

PTI claimed that, despite assertions of a bumper wheat harvest, the government has engineered a third artificial wheat crisis during its tenure, resulting in a shortage exceeding 3.5 million tonnes and plans to import two million tonnes of wheat.

Reports indicate that 4.5 million tonnes of wheat have disappeared from Punjab’s government warehouses. Flour prices have risen to Rs130‑150 per kilogram, up from Rs65‑70 during the PTI’s rule. High input costs have devastated farmers. PTI is calling for a judicial inquiry into the missing wheat and a forensic audit of the import decisions.

PTI condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and paid tribute to the security personnel who were martyred.

PTI noted that purely military approaches have failed over the past five decades. Its six‑point roadmap encompasses modern, intelligence‑driven operations, addressing public grievances, dialogue with constitutional nationalists, distinguishing between those who respect the Constitution and those who do not, equitable resource allocation for local development, and an inclusive political process involving all stakeholders.

Persecution of Imran

Imran Khan has now spent 1,071 days in jail, including 250 days in solitary confinement, a clear violation of the UN Mandela Rules. PTI alleges that his deteriorating vision is due to alleged medical neglect. The party demands his immediate transfer to an appropriate hospital for examination by his personal physicians, including Dr Faisal Sultan, in the presence of his family.

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