Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, a close ally of the Shehbaz Sharif-led government, has come out gunning against the increase in prices of petroleum products as the Senate session began on Wednesday under the chair of Sadiq Sanjrani, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

JUI Senator Ataur Rehman declared that their party rejected the surge in petroleum prices. 

He further said that the PTI is a fomenter of disturbances. “PTI raised objections to the dances performed on the Golden Jubilee Independence Day functions. I asked the PTI whether their women supporters recite Holy Quran or Naats at their rallies,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w_ZxJzrlHU

Meanwhile, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said due to imprudent financial policies of the previous government, Pakistan was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Speaking on a point of order in the Senate, the minister said the government has taken difficult decisions to save the economy of the country.

He said the increase of petroleum prices was a tough decision and the government has taken this decision with a heavy heart. He said people will witness relief in petroleum prices in coming notifications.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q32HF2RL3Cs

The Minister said it was the previous government who signed an agreement with the IMF and committed not to provide subsidies on petroleum prices.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shahzad Waseem criticized the government for not reducing petroleum prices despite a price decline in international markets and stability of the Rupee against US dollar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLd3s0bKtls

The House offered Fateha for the people who died in floods, suicide attack in North Waziristan and a road accident in Rahim Yar Khan. Senator Atta-ur-Rehman led the prayer. 

Reporter Usman Khan