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Petrol bomb re-explodes
April 08, 2011
The government of Pakistan has once again announced a 9% - 13% increase in petroleum prices. After which the petrol would be expensive by Rs.6.98 to retail at Rs.83.85, high-speed diesel by Rs.10.67 to retail at Rs.92.89, light diesel by Rs. 9.07 to retail at Rs. 78.98, HOBC by Rs. 7.16, to retail at Rs. 98.12, Kerosene oil by Rs.9.65 to retail at Rs. 84.10. While the price of liquid gas has been propelled by Rs.5.00, making gas cylinders for domestic use, quite expensive.
Toying with petroleum prices has become quite an obsessive morbidity with government; as a desensitized, and highly indifferent ruling elite seems to have simply stuffed its ears to any woes of masses, who after crying hoarse for quite some while, ultimately recede to more deeper apathy. Even the opposition pays mere lip service to woes of masses, as it is absolutely no different in its future needs and elitist policies. They make quite a fanfare drama of issuing condemnations and threatening boycotts, all of which is a matter of shameful and daylight hoodwinking of masses; a matter of routine political protocols.
Oh! they do keep in touch with PM, President and finance minister, besides other high ranking officials to express their so-called reservations and concerns and ‘plight of dear poor masses’, but actually it is all a disguised blackmailing assault on government; to pressurize/gain something at political level; maybe even personal. Definitely this pressure or condemnation is not rendered effectively or strongly: say, at the level of long march for Judiciary, nor are the masses made publicly aware of the ground realities if any, as squeezing out a political milieu (by opposition) is a golden egg, not to be lost at all! Match-fixing by any standards!
However one this is rampantly, universally clear; this decision would raise just another storm of inflation in Country. Cost of transportation, commodities, services would definitely skyrocket, creating quite a chaos and violence in every nook and corner of Country. The official excuse of keeping up with its high cost of development expenses is totally redundant and uncalled for, as the government had never during its three year rule even bothered to take a single concrete step for amelioration of situation or economic development by taking consensus of economic analysts, traders, industrialists, and business community. Despite the fact that a conducive strategy could/should be evolved as thus. In short and sad of it, for the first time ever in the history of Country, the situation has gotten so grim, that there have been public cases of suicides, bringing us a bad name at global platforms.
The government uses its effective strategy of reducing the increased prices only by a fraction of margin, and even that for a short while, while reverting back to higher once after all has quieted out. With ‘allies like opposition’, it hardly ever fails! But both government and opposition should be wary of any third factor, which might lead to frightening consequences anytime, and any level.
Without any doubt other such crisis with another historical disasters like rampant terrorism and historically devastating floods made/make their presence felt, but than this excuse is hardly any more credible and effective beyond that point. For one, war against terrorism is purely an American interest and strategy; to be sustained until America fulfills its, (God knows what!) objectives; while Pakistan’s economy suffers in an
Incomprehensible manner. Something that is a National obligation on part of all segments of our society. Besides there are countless assets that can be easily and transparently privatized to finance the ailing and fast deteriorating economy.
Meanwhile the very backbone of economy, the industrialists and business community, which includes, investors, entrepreneurs, traders, shopkeepers etc have all expressed their deep reservations and apprehensions regarding the increase in petroleum prices, which they have all rejected to be highly uncalled for. The FCCI Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industries have also rejected the petroleum increase by all means and standards. They have declared the issue as OGRA’s (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority) and NEPRA’s (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) endeavors to simply paralyze National industrial and economic assets.
The ever-increasing production costs in the Country, are fast reaching an alarming proportions: Many of the heavy industry of the Country, after feeling the competitive crunch from Bangladesh, China and India among many other fast growing economies, is slowly being relocated to far-away and more conducive places like Bangladesh, endangering National economy.
The recent petroleum increase has begun ringing in another clarion call of surge in another possible storm of inflation, poverty and unemployment, while the industry simply crumbles under the heavy pressure of productivity costs. Putting it simply, the government should simply and immediately discard its luxiourious and princely expenses, and transfer maximum revenue and efforts for the amelioration of masses and Country’s economy; which after reeling due to interest rates, electricity and gas tariff simply cannot stand this another disastrous load (lode) of petroleum prices.
It should be publicly acknowledged that Pakistan was gradually losing its global market share, while masses, especially in Karachi were reeling under multiple pressures of all kinds of odds and evens, which include massive and genocidal target killings, extortions of all kinds. The moment calls for speedy and effective adhering to discharge of all unnecessary load of inflation, poverty by adhering to a realistic and logical roadmap in order to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls.
Toying with petroleum prices has become quite an obsessive morbidity with government; Even the opposition pays mere lip service to woes of masses, as it is absolutely no different in its future needs and elitist policies actually it is all a disguised blackmailing assault on government; to pressurize/gain something at political level; maybe even personal as squeezing out a political milieu (by opposition) is a golden egg, not to be lost at all! Match-fixing by any standards!
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