Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said that a recent increase in electricity rates by the government through a presidential ordinance had made the situation completely unbearable for the masses, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
In a statement, Bilawal said it was a pity that Prime Minister Imran Khan had made ‘inflation’ the biggest issue for the people of Pakistan.
“It is now up to the people to decide that if they want to get rid of price hike, they will have to send Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government home,” he said, and added that unless the entire nation came out on roads to protest against hike in the prices of items of essential use, ‘selected’ Prime Minister Imran Khan’s onslaught against them would not cease.
“We totally reject levy of five percent of income tax on electricity bills totalling Rs10,000 and 10 percent income tax on bills totalling Rs20,000,” Bilawal said categorically, adding that these taxes would unleash a ‘monster’ of inflation at masses.
“Increase in electricity rates announced by the government right after hike in petroleum products’ prices will increase production costs at factories, which would further dent common man’s budget,” Bilawal said, and added, “Already people are paying billions of rupees to the government in indirect taxes when they purchase mobile phone cards and other goods.”
“If PM Imran really wants to augment the country’s reserves, he better tax his richest pals and associates who have been given tax exemptions of billions of rupees,” PPP chairman alleged.