Pakistan: Opposition to protest in NA against electricity, POL price hike

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that opposition will protest in the upcoming session of the National Assembly against raise in prices of electricity and petroleum products.

Speaking to media persons outside the Parliament House on Monday‚ he said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will continue to play the role of genuine opposition. However‚ he said the PML-N government should be allowed to complete its term. Talking about the foreign tours of the incumbent govt, he said that the opposition is not being taken into confidence on the recent visits. The PPP leader slammed the govt for not making public the report of Abbottabad Commission. He also expressed concern that the Parliament is yet to complete despite passing 145 days. Government is negating from its statements on various issues, he added. Commenting on Bilawal’s speech, Khursheed Shah said that Bilawal 's recent speech at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh is a good beginning in politics. The opposition leader hoped that Prime Minister's visit to the United States would serve the national interests. To a question, Khursheed Shah said: “When the PPP was in power, we had clear foreign policy to maintain good relations with neighbouring countries and suggested the PML-N-led government to follow the same for regional peace and in countries interest.” The Opposition Leader added Pakistan is an independent and sovereign state and we should not yield to any pressure while formulating our foreign policy. He said the load-shedding in the country has not reduced‚ in spite of payment of 500 billion rupees of circular debt. He demanded an audit on this count. On talks with Taliban, he said on one side President Mamnoon Hussain gives statement that peace talks with Taliban is in progress while, on the other, Taliban negate the statements of President or government. He added it seems talks are being held with some other unknown party which needed to be revealed. The opposition will strongly protest against the privatization of public entities, “we will not cooperate with Government on this issue”, he added. Khursheed said that former President Asif Ali Zardari will face corruptions charges.