Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan has said that the public is currently suffering from a storm of inflation, while the government remains engaged in irresponsible theatrics.

In his statement, Aimal Wali Khan said that the government first took an irrational, undemocratic, and anti-people step by abruptly increasing petroleum prices by Rs. 137 per litre. It then announced a partial reduction of Rs. 80, presenting it as relief.

He stated that in reality, the public is still bearing an additional burden of Rs. 80 per litre, and the government is misleadingly portraying this as relief.

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Aimal Wali Khan further said that this is essentially a manipulation of public psychology—where a massive increase is imposed first to pressure the public, and then a partial decrease is presented as relief.

He demanded that the government provide genuine relief to the people and take effective measures to immediately reduce inflation.

It is worth mentioning that last night, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the nation, announced a reduction of Rs. 80 per litre in petrol prices, bringing the new price down from Rs. 458 to Rs. 378 per litre.

Similarly, cabinet members also decided to deposit six months’ salaries into the national treasury instead of two months.