Siraj for withdrawal of hike in gas price

LAHORE

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Senator Siraj-ul-Haq has said that the masses cannot be fed by merely trumpeting democracy and stated the rulers are adding to the miseries of the people by increasing prices. 

Talking to different delegations at the residence of JI Deputy Chief Mian Muhammad Aslam, on Monday, Siraj-ul-Haq said that an additional burden of Rs27 billion was being placed on the consumers to supply gas to the areas of the ruling party legislators and termed it a most anti–people decision.

He said it was unfortunate that there was none to raise voice against such a major decision as it served the selfish interest of the members. He demanded immediate withdrawal of the gas price increase. 

The government, he said, had failed to fulfill its election promises of controlling price spiral, corruption and it was eliminating the poor instead of poverty. 

The JI chief said that the policies prepared under the directives of the World Bank and the IMF could not serve national interests.

He said the government considered the welfare of the ministers and advisers as the welfare of the masses but it was mistaken. He said the 36 percent raise in gas prices would lead to a storm of price increase. 

Siraj-ul-Haq said the common man was unable to pay the utility bills and was even denied the basic facilities of health and education for children and a home. On the other hand, the ruling elite were leading life of luxuries. He said the country did not have any system of accountability.

He said if the plunder of over four trillion from the public exchequer was stopped, a qualitative change could be brought about in the life of the general public and their basic requirements could be met adequately.

Besides, he said, according to the federal finance minister, a huge sum of 200 billion dollars owned by the Pakistanis were lying in banks abroad. If even a small portion of this wealth was retrieved, the fate of the nation could be ameliorated. 

Meanwhile, Deputy chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha, has condemned the 36 percent raise in the gas charges and called for its immediate withdrawal. 

In a statement here on Monday, he said that on one hand, the government claimed that the economy had improved, while on the other hand, it was increasing indirect taxes. He said the 36 percent raise in gas charges was tantamount to slaughtering the masses with a blunt weapon.

He said gas was among the necessities of life and supply of gas to the masses was the duty of the state. He said in the beginning of tenure, the government provided gas to secure political and electoral gains but later, its price was raised unjustifiably.  

He said the JI would approach the judiciary and the masses against the raise in gas charges and the government would be forced to withdraw its decision.

CPSP: The Royal Australian College of Surgeons President Prof Michel J Hollands called on Punjab Governor Malik Rafique Rajwana, here on Monday. 

College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) Senior Vice-President Prof Khalid Masood Gondal and National Residency Programme Director Prof Mahmood Ayyaz also accompanied him.

According to a press release issued here, Dr Michel J Hollands praised the teaching and training system of CPSP and declared CPSP the best medical institution of South Asia.

He commended the transparent examination system and found it on a par with international standard.

He participated as senior facilitator of ongoing ATLS course and also participated as an external examiner in the examination of Surgery of CPSP.

He said that ATLS and ACLS were mandatory in Canada, Australia, and America and in developed world. He said with the implementation of these courses in Pakistan the standard of medical treatment/facilities will upgrade.

Punjab Governor Malik Rafique Rajwana said there was room for betterment in every system. We should try to move to the best. He assured the delegation of cooperation.

Tevta: Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) is successfully offering Custom Support Executive (Domestic) courses in two of its institutes. 

Tevta Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Sheikh while addressing a meeting said these courses were being offered at Government College of Technology, Railway Road and Government Technical Training Institute for Women, Township and claimed that all pass-outs of this course had been given employment.  

He said all these efforts were being made according to the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to materialise the slogan of “Skillful Youngster & Prosper Punjab” into reality. 

He said candidates having bachelor's degree with abilities of best proficient in communication, analysing proficiency and computer skills were given preference for admission. He said job opportunities were also available for the pass-outs of this course at national and international level.   

APPOINTED: Inspector General of Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera has appointed Ghulam Mubashar Maiken as SP Headquarters Lahore with immediate effect on Monday.

MIRRORS: City Traffic Police continued fixing side mirrors at the awareness camp set up in Liberty Chowk to create sense of road safety among citizens.  Side mirrors have been installed at 3,150 bikes during the campaign.