Pakistan’s opposition walks out of National Assembly over oil price hike
March 1st, 2011 - 10:42 pm ICT by BNO NewsISLAMABAD (BNO NEWS) — Three main opposition parties on Tuesday walked out of Pakistan’s National Assembly over the current hike in petroleum prices, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The legislators belonging to opposition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), argued that the move would further aggravate the already soared prices in the country.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Monday announced an increase to all petroleum products by 9.9 percent, arguing that the move is necessary because of instability in North Africa and the Middle East.
The increment was the first one registered in the last two months. The Pakistani government, led by President Asif Ali Zardari, kept the price of petroleum products unchanged due to the pressure from all political parties.
MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi said his party, which in the past got the government reverse its decision on petroleum price-hike, did not welcome the increase, which would directly put burden on poor and middle classes.
PML-N’s Chief Whip Aftab Sheikh urged the government to seriously re-consider the recent spike in petroleum prices, while PML-Q’s Sheikh Waqas Akram endorsed the views of the other parties and asked the government not to opt for such ventures.
Meanwhile, the Karachi Transport Alliance announced a strike for Wednesday against the recent hike in petroleum prices.
- Breakthrough eludes Gilani in Pakistan's political crisis (Lead) - Jan 03, 2011
- PML-N, MQM form alliance against Pakistan government - Jul 06, 2011
- Pak politicians oppose scrutiny of asset declarations by auditors, revenue board - Feb 25, 2011
- PML-N hints at legal action against MQM members for "bad-mouthing" its leadership - Jan 02, 2011
- Pakistan's Senate passes reformed GST bill recommendations - Nov 26, 2010
- 'PML-Q, MQM agree to join hands in Pakistan's national interest' - Feb 14, 2011
- Shujaat meets Imran in quest of common ground in Pak Politics - Dec 26, 2010
- Musharraf expected to announce return to Pak in September - Aug 02, 2010
- Pakistan reverses fuel price hike - Jan 07, 2011
- Gilani clears air on alliances with various parties - May 02, 2011
- Ready to give up presidency: Zardari - Jan 11, 2012
- Cracks widen in Pakistan's ruling coalition, key ally quits - Dec 21, 2010
- Pak NA body categorically rejects bill implying country's sovereignty needs protection - Jan 22, 2011
- Pakistan on the brink of economic collapse, says PML-Q - Jan 22, 2011
- Zardari seeks unity of allies before US visit - Jan 13, 2011
Tags: aftab, asif ali zardari, chief whip, haider, last two months, muttahida qaumi movement, national assembly, north africa, ogra, oil price hike, opposition parties, pakistan muslim league, pakistan muslim league nawaz, pakistani government, petroleum prices, petroleum products, pml n, regulatory authority, rizvi, waqas akram