Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistan PM reverses petrol hike under pressure
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Pakistan PM reverses petrol hike under pressure
AFP - Friday, January 7
Send
IM Story
Print
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - – Pakistan's beleaguered prime minister on Thursday caved into political pressure and reversed controversial fuel price hikes, in a move designed to prevent his fragile government from collapsing.
"In respect of the national political leadership, and this house, and the whole nation, I restore the old petroleum prices," Pakistan People's Party (PPP) premier Yousuf Raza Gilani told the lower house of parliament.
"There was a consensus among the entire political leadership and parliamentary leaders that petroleum prices of December 31 should be restored."
Rolling back the six-day-old kerosene, diesel and petrol price increases of between nine and 5.6 percent was one clause in a package of 11 reforms demanded by main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif in a 72-hour ultimatum on Tuesday.
Sharif later extended the ultimatum, which threatened to expel the ruling party from government in Punjab province, to begin after three days of mourning for liberal Pakistani politician Salman Taseer, who was shot dead the same day.
Junior coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had also publicly listed the hikes as one reason for quitting the government last Sunday, which severed its majority and raised fears of snap elections.
Western allies are concerned about any prospect of further destabilisation in Pakistan at a time of economic meltdown and while Washington is heaping pressure on the country to do more to fight Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
It remained to be seen Thursday whether Gilani would bow to any of Sharif's or the MQM's other demands.
The government can ill afford to increase public spending after catastrophic flooding last summer affected 21 million people and raised fears that Islamabad cannot meet IMF targets on inflation and budget deficit levels.
The International Monetary Authority in 2008 rescued Pakistan from bankruptcy and has extended an $11.3 billion stand-by arrangement.
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N welcomed the reversal, but stood by its ultimatum on the government to implement all its demands within 45 days.
"We appreciate it," party spokesman Siddiqul Farooq told AFP.
"This was one point on our 11-point national agenda, which includes loan recovery, investigation of major scandals, a 30-percent cut in the non-developmental budget, the formation of an independent election commission and others."
Faisal Sabzwari, a MQM cabinet minister in southern province Sindh, also welcomed the government's U-turn but called on Gilani to go further.
"We are not going to reverse our decision of quitting the ruling coalition as of yet," he told AFP.
"The government has to do a lot more. It has to tax landlords and not the poor people who are already overburdened, and eradicate corruption, which is rampant in our country."
The MQM has also been at odds with the PPP over political violence in Karachi, which a senior PPP leader blamed on MQM supporters.
To bring down the government, the opposition would need to overcome deep divisions to table and win a no-confidence vote, therefore forcing elections.
That would depend on Sharif and his PML-N party, but analysts believe he is unwilling to take on the mantle of Pakistan's myriad problems prematurely.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Champion Ogilvy out after sea-strolling finger injury AFP - 33 minutes ago
Pakistan bows to opposition demands on fuel price Reuters - 1 hour 13 minutes ago
Japan wants 'concrete' N. Korea steps before talks AFP - 1 hour 29 minutes ago
Yao undergoes left ankle surgery: report AFP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago
Chaos at remand of alleged Pakistan assassin AFP - 2 hours 55 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Egypt Copts mark Christmas under tight security
France fears 'economic war' after Renault spy scandal
VW, Daimler to sign $5bn Chinese contracts: source
De Niro to lead Cannes film festival jury
US Treasury asks Congress to lift debt ceiling
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials
Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor
Goldman deal 'values Facebook at $50 billion'
Spain lotto winner nearly loses millions by tossing tickets
Brazil's 2010 trade surplus lowest in 8 years: official
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 7 January 2011 France fears 'economic war' after Renault spy scandal
US-TECH Summary
VW, Daimler to sign $5bn Chinese contracts: source
GameStop's holiday sales disappoint, shares drop
De Niro to lead Cannes film festival jury
Nvidia's new mobile chips in Acer, Dell devices
Sony stays loyal to 3D at CES gadget fest
US Treasury asks Congress to lift debt ceiling
I.Coast's Gbagbo has 'blood on his hands' says rival
Always connected lifestyle on display at CES
Israel airport wifi blocks political sites
Sudan still not agreed to bigger UN force: official
|
Probe may push Facebook to early stock offering
U.S. bars financial dealings with Ivory Coast president
Analysis: Microsoft embrace boost for ARM, worry for Intel
U.S. to send 1,400 Marines to Afghanistan
Apple launches app store for Macs, a la iPhone
Sony stays loyal to 3D at CES gadget fest
Iran sent US spy back to Armenia: report
Former boss feared Pakistan suspect's extremism
Microsoft sold over 8 million Kinects in 60 days: CEO
U.S. healthcare law repeal hurts deficits
Pakistan bows to opposition demands on fuel price
US protests over Vietnam treatment of diplomat
Microsoft sold 8 mln Kinects in first two months
"Twilight" and Katy Perry among People's Choice winners
Geithner says U.S. could hit debt limit by March 31
China expels drug safety official from party: report
Skype acquires Qik mobile video company
|
Thai MP in Cambodia court over border incident
Analysis: Facebook ignites Bubble 2.0 chatter
|
Pakistan PM reverses petrol hike under pressure
India food inflation accelerates to year-high
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Nvidia's new mobile chips in Acer, Dell devices
|
Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend likely to escape jail
Swiss festival invites jailed Iranian film maker Panahi
Berlin museum extends popular Hitler exhibition
Japanese politician, 50 gives birth to first child
De Niro to lead Cannes film festival jury
Batman's French Muslim ally angers US bloggers
China to buy 6.0 bn euros of Spanish debt: report
China to build $1.5 bn trading centre in Thailand
Taiwan's HTC posts 70 percent rise in 2010 profit
Coffee capsule inventor aims for Asia with tea
Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend likely to escape jail
|
Paula Abdul dances back into hearts of viewers
|
Egypt Copts mark Christmas under tight security
Britain raises terror threat level at airports: report
Two Koreas and U.S. militaries lower alert: report
|
Toshiba year-end TV sales strong but 3D weak
US sends 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan
Cautious optimism ahead of US jobless numbers
Australia floods cause months, possibly years, of damage
|
France fears 'economic war' after Renault spy scandal
Afghans protest Iran fuel truck ban
Gates hopes to bolster U.S.-China military dialogue
|
Jackson dead before paramedics arrived, court told
Samsung seeks 15 percent TV sales jump in smart TV push
Egypt's Mubarak warns Israel against new Gaza war
Israel: No Iran bomb before 2015
|
Japan wants 'concrete' N. Korea steps before talks
Verizon CEO ponders shift to use-based mobile plan
China confirms President Hu to visit U.S. from January 18
|
Iraqis look to U.S. foe Sadr to help stabilise state
Chilean scientists seek alcoholism vaccine
UN's Ban names panel for Haiti cholera probe
|
LG eyes 2-3 times rise in smartphones, focus on high-end
Iran denies detaining American woman
Egypt Copts mark Christmas under tight security
Clinton condemns Belarus crackdown, meets activists
|
RIM seeks 2 years to address email security: report
Mubarak says Israel must revise position on talks
Sony aims for No. 2 spot in tablet devices
Corrected: Record high food prices stoke fears for economy
|
Pakistan-Afghanistan to hold peace jirga
Samsung profit set to recover on gadgets after dip
Pope prays for Christians after Copt attack
Cambodia says KRouge trial should preserve peace
Israelis bribed to admit U.S. goods to Gaza
FCC head urges swift action on spectrum crunch
Chinese fireworks artist tries to shift blame over disappointing show
Data security center in Utah targets cyberspace
Cargo ship fire kills four Chinese off S. Korea
US-TECH Summary
Thai opposition eyes Thaksin's sister for PM
Australia coal industry may see long disruption due to floods
Samsung seeks 15 percent TV sales jump in smart TV push
England captain toasts 'special' Ashes series triumph
LG eyes 2-3 times rise in smartphones, focus on high-end
China smoking deaths could triple by 2030: report
Sony aims for No. 2 spot in tablet devices
Fake Indonesian inmate exposes prison corruption
Samsung seeks 15 percent TV sales jump in smart TV push
|
Samsung profit set to recover on gadgets after dip
Two Koreas and U.S. militaries lower alert
Toshiba year-end TV sales strong but 3D weak
|
Why French are world champs in pessimism
COMMENTARY: Exposing hypocrisy of nations
India's magicians: striving hard not to disappear
Verizon CEO ponders shift to use-based mobile plan
|
FCC head urges swift action on spectrum crunch
|
Oprah delighted with OWN network launch
Eminem, Drake lead rap sales surge in 2010
RIM seeks 2 years to address email security: report
|
US judge zaps Harry Potter plagiarism suit
LG eyes 2-3 times rise in smartphones, focus on high-end
|
Michael Jackson doctor kept mum about propofol at hospital
Facebook documents reveal strong profits: source
|
Case dismissed against Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend
Sony aims for No. 2 spot in tablet devices
|
Sundance invites 26 to world premiere of film
Samsung profit set to recover on gadgets after dip
|
Mass bird and fish deaths stoke curiosity
Indian animators to partner with US TV firm
China SAIC shares jump on strong 2010 sales
China rare earth curbs could raise prices: report
Seoul shares end up 0.4 pct on autos, Samsung Elec down
Korea Hot Stocks-Hyundai Motor up, savings banks rally
Pakistan
Samsung Q4 profits seen lower at $2.67 bn
Seoul shares end up 0.4 pct on autos, Samsung Elec down
S.Korea won down on firm dlr, foreigners stock sales
Michael Jackson doctor kept mum about propofol at hospital
|
Seoul shares open down, Samsung Elec falls
Case dismissed against Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend
|
Sundance invites 26 to world premiere of film
|
Oprah delighted with OWN network launch
|
Piers Morgan vows a butt-kicking talk show on CNN
|
ARM says Microsoft needs it for mobile
Homeless man finds success with golden voice
|
Eminem, Drake lead rap sales surge in 2010
|
Skype buys smartphone video star Qik
Mike Tyson, pigeon fancier, gets his own TV show
|
EU rejects Iran's offer of atomic site tour
Germany closes 4,700 farms in dioxin scare
Taliban attack kills 17 at Afghan public bath
German imports hit all time high in November
Obama names Sperling to top economic job
Israel says sees no Iranian atom bomb before 2015
Ivory Coast's Gbagbo expels UK, Canada envoys
Dell unveils Android tablet, smartphone
EU rejects Iran's offer of atomic site tour: Ashton
|
Israeli troops kill wrong man in Hamas raid
Model security shows mainstream move of Iraq's Sadr
|
Citing deficit, Gates moves to cut US defense budget
'Suicide attack kills 17 at Afghan public bath'
Israeli troops kill wrong man in Hamas raid
|
Germany closes 4,700 farms in dioxin scare
Suicide attack kills 17 in southern Afghanistan
US-TECH Summary
Pakistani party to rejoin coalition; reforms deferred
|
U.N. refugee agency warns on Greek anti-migrant fence
|
Suicide bomber kills 17 in Afghanistan
Samsung profit set to rebound; fights for connected TV
Sony aims for No. 2 spot in tablet devices
Afghanistan suicide blast kills 17 in bathhouse
|
LG eyes 4-fold jump in 2011 smartphone sales
Korean, US forces 'lower alert status'
Ghana neutral on Ivory Coast, opposes force: president
|
US 'cannot accept' China military power: state media
2 fiery packages put Md. mailrooms on alert
Parents demand answers in China lead poisoning
Vietnam War 'secret army' chief dies in US hospital
Vang Pao, Hmong guerrilla leader, dies in Calif.
Note in fiery Md. package complained of road signs
Pakistani party to rejoin coalition
Meet the new boss: Daley is Obama chief of staff
Malaysia royal commission to probe political death
Police: Gunman suspended before school shooting
Philippine boy survives three days at sea
Jackson dead before paramedics arrived, court told
Disturbing video shows attacks on disabled victims
Laos general Vang Pao dies in California: hospital
ARM says Microsoft needs it for mobile
|
Celeb tweets make impact on top stories in 2010
Hyundai Motor preferred bidder for S. Korea builder
Pentagon announces plans to rein in spending
Cubans fret as massive job cuts get under way
Taiwan's exports at 32-year high
Kenya cracks down on out-of-hours drinkers
Pakistan to defer IMF-demanded sales tax-PM Gilani
India, Pakistan in onion trade wrangle
Local.com cuts fourth-quarter outlook
|
China eyes deeper German economic ties: report
Indonesia reassures on surging food prices
Taiwan promises swift review of AIG unit sale
Taiwan's new nuclear plant delayed
US banks win approval for China joint ventures
US automaker Ford says China sales hit record in 2010
Harry Potter plagiarism case dismissed in U.S.
|
Celeb tweets make impact on top stories in 2010
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights