KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reduced the fuel quota of the ministers, government officials and himself by 40 percent after the hike in petroleum prices.
According to the CM spokesperson, the decision was taken to control expenses and lessen the burden on the national exchequer following a sharp increase in the petrol prices within the last few days.
“The rise in petrol price should not be a burden on the exchequer,” the chief minister said, adding burdening the treasury means increasing the burden on the masses.
The federal government raised the prices of petroleum products by another Rs30, just a week after making a similar increase. After the latest round of hikes, petrol will be priced at Rs209.86 and diesel at Rs204.15 per litre.
The price hike triggered protests in Karachi as enraged protestors damaged a petrol pump and burned tyres at the University Road. The public has demanded the government tighten its belt rather than passing the burden on the masses.
The sentiment was echoed by a senior PPP leader and Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar who suggested cutting the pay of politicians, generals, judges and senior bureaucrats by 50%. “Why should common folk shoulder the failures of the political, military and judicial elite? This joke has to end.”
Khokar said if the common man is forced to tighten his belt then the pay of politicians, generals, judges and senior bureaucrats should be halved and all perks and free utilities are withdrawn.
Why should common folk shoulder the failures of political, military & judicial elite? This joke has to end. If common man is forced to tighten his belt then pays of politicians, generals, judges & senior bureaucrats should b halved & all perks withdrawn including free utilities.
— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@Mustafa_PPP) June 2, 2022
