Middle East Escalation Vindicates Imran Khan’s Warning of Global Instability: PTI

Pakistan must remain distant from wars, play peace-building role: Waqas 

Says govt’s flawed economic policies, reliance on IMF push country into inflation trap

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stated that recent developments in the Middle East vindicated the long-standing warning of former prime minister Imran Khan that escalating conflicts would push the world toward instability and economic turmoil.

In a statement on Thursday, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stressed that Pakistan must remain distant from wars and instead play a constructive, peace-building role through dialogue and diplomacy.

Sheikh Waqas noted that war has repeatedly proven to be a failed strategy, while a “peace model” based on negotiations is the only viable path to stability. He appreciated the constructive role of China in promoting de-escalation and emphasized that the sovereignty of Iran must not be ignored. He called for an immediate ceasefire and a clear diplomatic initiative from the government. He also strongly condemned recent Israeli actions against Palestinians, terming them inhumane, and urged the government to raise a principled voice for Palestine in line with Pakistan’s historic stance.

Highlighting the economic fallout of wars, he warned that global instability directly translates into higher fuel prices, inflation, and suffering for ordinary citizens in Pakistan.

Turning to the domestic situation, PTI CIS categorically rejected the recent increase in LPG prices and the anticipated rise in petroleum prices, calling these measures anti-people and cruel. He said the government’s flawed economic policies, incompetence, and blind reliance on the International Monetary Fund have pushed the country into a vortex of inflation.

He noted that the LPG price hike comes at a time when citizens are already crushed under the burden of high electricity, gas, and food prices. Millions of households in remote and rural areas depend on LPG, and this increase will make daily life even more difficult for them, he added. Any increase in petroleum prices, he warned, will raise transportation costs and trigger a fresh wave of inflation affecting flour, sugar, vegetables, medicines, and all essential commodities.

PTI CIS pointed out that instead of presenting a clear economic roadmap, the government has chosen the easy route of imposing more taxes and increasing prices. Rather than reducing official expenditures and elite privileges, the burden is being shifted onto ordinary citizens, which condemnable and unacceptable.

Waqas demands that the recent increase in LPG prices be immediately withdrawn and any proposed increase in petroleum prices be halted.

He emphasized that emergency measures be taken to reduce the prices of electricity, gas, and essential items, as the government expenditures be curtailed to provide real relief to the public.

PTI CIS made it clear that if the government continues to intensify inflation instead of providing relief, the party reserves the right to launch strong, democratic, and public protest at every level because protecting citizens from economic injustice and raising a voice against imposed hardship is PTI’s responsibility, and the party will not step back from this duty under any circumstances.