Opposition protests in PA over hike in fuel prices.

LAHORE: The opposition in Punjab Assembly staged severe protest on Monday over the hike in petroleum prices during the ongoing session. The MPAs of opposition including the PML-N and PPP were carrying the placards while chanting slogans against the government over the recent hike in petroleum prices. As per the details, the session of Punjab Assembly started with delay of more than one hour from its scheduled time with Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in the chair. The general debate on Supplementary Budget of 2019-20 was also started on Monday.

As the Opposition started its protest, the provincial law minister Raja Basharat stood up and put a demand to the Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari for holding an inquiry over making video clips and carrying play cards by the opposition in Punjab Assembly. Law Minister criticized the opposition for making video clips and holding placards in the House. Deputy Speaker Mazari referred the matter to concerned inquiry committee. Although Monday's session was fixed for general discussion on supplementary budget for fiscal year 2019-20, the Opposition decided to stage protest over the price hike.

PPP's parliamentary leader Syed Hassan Murtaza speaking on general discussion on supplementary budget, came down hard on the PTI-led government. He said that the government is killing its own people instead of taking action against Flour Mafia, Sugar Mafia and now the Petrol Mafia by increasing the prices of these essential items. He was mocking at the Prime Minister as he said that whenever our PM takes notice of price hike, it further increases and it is now evident that it is beyond his capacity. He further added that government itself gave benefit of billions to the Petrol Mafia through artificial shortage in the country. Shedding light...