Now Reading: Pakistan protests erupt over fuel levy, IMF conditions
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Pakistan protests erupt over fuel levy, IMF conditions
Thousands of Pakistanis took to the streets on Friday after Jamaat-e-Islami called nationwide protests against rising fuel prices and a fresh petroleum levy, Times Now reports. Demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and…
The Story in Brief
Thousands of Pakistanis took to the streets on Friday after Jamaat-e-Islami called nationwide protests against rising fuel prices and a fresh petroleum levy, Times Now reports. Demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities disrupted traffic, with protesters carrying placards demanding relief. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman accused the Shehbaz Sharif government of imposing the levy despite IMF conditions, and warned of larger protests ahead.
Fuel prices in Pakistan hit a record Rs 157 per litre in April, with diesel at Rs 520. The government introduced the levy to meet IMF loan conditions, but Rehman dismissed the IMF argument, telling the government to 'go to hell' with its IMF. The protests, described as a 'trailer,' are set to continue with sit-ins on Sunday.
The Indian Opinion
Indian readers may be tempted to dismiss the protests as another round of Pakistan's familiar chaos. But the sight of thousands rejecting IMF conditions should give pause, New Delhi also faces pressure from international lenders. The real story is not just Pakistan's fiscal mismanagement but the human cost of austerity. Watch Sunday's sit-ins: if they draw lakhs, the Shehbaz government may have to choose between the IMF and its own streets.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
