The Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) has condemned the recent increase in prices of gas and electricity, and demanded of the government authorities to reverse the decision, immediately, in the larger public interest. Addressing an emergent meeting of the party, LPP secretary general Farooq Tariq said here on Monday the government policies were anti-worker and anti-poor, and aimed at just pleasing the international donors.

He said a few days back, the government had increased the prices of petroleum products, which gave rise to the fares of public transport as well as many other essential items and, then, once again it had put an additional burden on the poor by raising the prices of power and gas.

Criticising the government, he said its policies had multiplied the problems of common people who were forced to commit suicide because of their financial problems.

He urged the government to withdraw the increase in gas and power tariff forthwith. If the government did not take that step, Labour Party would be forced to take extreme steps, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005