Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has called for a nationwide protest against the sharp rise in petroleum products and inflation in the country.

In a video message released earlier today, Imran Khan asked his supporters to join him on Sunday, June 19 at 9 pm for a protest against the government’s decision to increase POL prices. In three increases over the last three weeks, petrol prices have been increased by Rs84.

“Everyone has to come out against this imported government. Otherwise inflation will further increase,” Imran said, adding that he would address the protestors at 10 pm.

Earlier, PTI leader Fawad Chauhdry had tweeted that the PTI chief would make an important announcement at 7:50pm about the party’s plan of action regarding rampant inflation and the hike in fuel prices.

The latest increase, which went into effect on the midnight between June 15-16, diesel prices were increased by Rs59.16 while petrol was increased by Rs24.03 per litre.

Prices of POL products were already at an all-time high in Pakistan and has continued to breach new records due to pressure from the IMF that wants the government to remove fuel subsidies and tax it. Currently, petrol is at Rs 233.89 per litre, diesel is at Rs 263.31 per litre, and kerosene is at Rs 211.43 per litre.

The prices of diesel and petrol are expected to rise again with the country’s Finance Minister saying that it was inevitable to avoid a sovereign default.

Imran has previously threatened to bring the country to a standstill unless the national and provincial assemblies are dissolved and the government announces the date of early elections.

He led his “long march to Islamabad” on May 25 but called it off after giving a six-day ultimatum to the government. Later, he said that the protest was called off to avoid bloodshed.

Since then, Imran has repeatedly said that he would soon announce the date of his protest.