ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has urged people to turn to the streets after Friday (today) prayers against another petrol price hike over the last one week by the coalition government, expressing concerns that the recent decision would increase the burden on the public by Rs900 billion and price hike on basic items.

“I want everyone to come out & protest peacefully after Juma prayers tomorrow against this Imported govt’s anti-people policies of massive price hikes to crush the public & wreak economic havoc in the country since they have no stakes here as their assets are all abroad,” he said in a series of tweets.

The price of petrol has increased to Rs209.86 per litre after the government further increased the fuel price by Rs30 in view of the rising prices in the international market. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government on May 26 curtailed the Rs30 fuel subsidy in order to meet the International Monetary Fund bailout conditions.

Imran, who was ousted from the power by a vote of no-confidence which he rejects as a “foreign conspiracy, alleged that the imported government has increased petroleum prices by 40% or Rs60 per litre.

The Rs8 increase in electricity price would put the entire country into shock, he said in reaction to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Thursday’s decision to approve an Rs7.91 per unit increase in the basic power tariff. The tariff price of one unit has soared to Rs24.82.

The PTI chief further praised his government’s efforts, including an Rs1,200 billion worth of economic package. “This year alone we reduced sales tax to zero per cent and additionally provided Rs466 billion energy subsidies to protect our public. For us our priority has always been our people,” Imran said.