KARACHI: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, on Friday held protest demonstrations against the government in Karachi and other major cities in the wake of the rising petroleum prices and spiraling inflation in the country.
The opposition alliance kicked off its 15-day nationwide protest from Rawalpindi on Wednesday to highlight the economic hardship of people.
Hundreds of PDM workers gathered at the Empress Market in Karachi where a senior leader of the Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam party (JUI-F), Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, led the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Haideri said the country had witnessed a sudden surge in prices during the last four months due to the “ineptitude of the rulers.”
“We will continue the protest till this selected government is dislodged,” Haideri said, adding the current administration had “mortgaged” the country to the International Monetary Fund.
The provincial president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party Shah Muhammad Shah and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan’s Owais Noorani also addressed the rally.
Workers of the opposition parties also held rallies in Lahore, Larkana, Sukkur, Mardan, Jacobabad, Mohmand, Ziarat, Mingora and other cities of the country.
In Balochistan, PDM workers suspended traffic at the Quetta-Chaman highway for several hours.
In Lahore, PML-N members staged a protest near Jain Mandir.
The Pakistan People Party, which quit the the alliance earlier this year over differences with the JUI-F and PML-N, separately held a protest in Malir district of Karachi on Friday.
The protest was led by Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah who criticized the federal government and said it should spare the poor masses.
“The prices of essential and basic food items have increased to such an extent that people have been forced to come onto the streets to protest against the defective socioeconomic policies of the selected ruler inducted in Islamabad,” Shah said in an oblique reference to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“The hunger and helplessness have forced the people to come out into the streets to send the selected ruler back home,” he said. “This poor country cannot afford such a naïve, inefficient and ineffective prime minister.”
Pakistan’s opposition parties hold anti-government protest amid rising inflation
https://arab.news/nq8ep
Pakistan’s opposition parties hold anti-government protest amid rising inflation
- The Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance arranged protest demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Sukkar and Larkana
- The Pakistan People Party also highlighted the economic hardships of people in a separate rally in Karachi
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
