KARACHI/LAHORE - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami separately staged protests against increase in taxes and hike in prices of petroleum products, on Sunday.
Participants of the protest waved of PTI protested outside the Karachi Press Club with placards saying “government failed to eliminate inflation”, “Extra Sale Tax not accepted” and “Let the poor live”. They also chanted slogans against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) federal government, terming it’s polices “anti-people”.
Addressing the protesters PTI central vice president Najeeb Haroon, Sindh President Nadir Akmal Leghari , Secretary General Hafiz Uddin, Parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Samar Ali Khan, MPA Khurram Sher Zaman and MPA Dr. Seema termed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) federal government polices as “anti-people”.
They said that Pakistan is currently facing various challenges and difficulties including the worst law and order situation and decline in economic prosperity while the government is adding in the difficulties of the masses by increasing petroleum products and electricity. They said that it was about the fourth time that PML-N government has increased POL prices and now it has imposed additional taxes on the people who were already suffering. They added that PTI would stage country-wide protests and if the government continued to raise petroleum and electricity prices at the current rate, it would break all records over the next five years.
They said that PTI was committed to the welfare of the masses and would help them raise their voice against ruler’s cruel polices.
They demanded the government to withdraw the increase in POL prices and additional sales tax. They said that PML-N has forgotten the promises those were made during the general election campaign about facilitating the masses and giving them relief by imposing subsidiaries on various products.
PTI leaders further said that government should formulate a comprehensive strategy to address public issues. They said that PTI supports the government’s targeted operation in Karachi and it should continue till the restoration of the peace in the city. 
Jamaat-i-Islami: Meanwhile on Sunday JI has demanded the government to immediately withdraw the increase in the sales tax, as it was unjustifiable.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, JI former lawmakers Muzaffar Ahmed Hashmi, Laeeq Khan, Nasrullah Khan, Hameedullah Khan Advocate and Younus Barai while strongly condemning the increase in sales tax by 2 per cent said that the government despite increasing sales tax should bring big fishes into the tax net.
“If the government, instead of increasing sales tax, takes measures to increase the revenue, then it will definitely put a positive effect on the economy of the country”, they added.
They said that JI will not allow anyone to commit injustice with the poor and underprivileged people of the country by increasing sales tax by 2 per cent.
DEMO: Dozens of rickshaw drivers Sunday staged protest followed by sit-in outside the Lahore Press Club against inflation, price hike of petroleum products and  heavy traffic fines. The protesters led by Awami Rickshaw Union chanted slogans against the PML-N government, saying their lives had turned into hell due to sky rocketing prices of daily commodities and  they were unable to make both ends meet of their families. The heavy traffic challans, high price of LPG, CNG and petrol had made them unable to earn bread and butter for their children.
, they complained and warned to extend protests across the province if the government failed to give the poor relief.
Meanwhile, goods transporters also announced to hold protest demonstration in provincial metropolis against the POL price hike. All Pakistan Truck Trala Motors Owners Association in a meeting on Sunday decided to hold first protest at Ravi Road. The association leaders in a statement said that they would block the road for traffic and later took out a rally at front of Chief Minister House where they would put in fire their trucks, they added.