The announcement by the petroleum minister to raise the prices of natural gas by 30 per cent coincided with a rare demonstration of unity by treasury and opposition members in the Sindh Assembly.
One should not assume that the rare show of unity was against the hefty increase in gas price and the unprecedented price hike in recent days, which has made it impossible for the poor lots of the country to have two-time meal a day. Instead, it was for more perks and privileges including cars, offices, staff, telephones, computers and laptops and official passport not only the “elected representatives” and ministers but for their family members.
Such a show of unity is rare in our legislative bodies on important national issues, but when it comes to personal benefit, the so-called elected leaders forget all their bitterness and join hands.        
On Monday, which was last day of the budget session, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member Dr Sikandar Mundrio tabled a resolution demanding the provincial government to ask the federal government to provide official passports for the MPAs.
After discussion on the resolution, it was amended and family was included in it.
The opposition members joined the treasury and after relaxation in rules the resolution was tabled, which was unanimously approved. 
During the debate on the resolution Sindh Transport Minister Akhtar Jadoon said that the official cars had been provided to town and taluka nazims and demanded that cars should also be provided to MPAs, as they were the elected representatives.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members, who claim to be the true representatives of the middle, lower-middle classes and the poor, and spare no time to debate the miseries of the people, caused by the unprecedented price hike, were as vocal as others on issue, as one of its member demanded medical and other facilities not only for the MPAs but for their parents as well.
When the so-called representatives of the people were demanding greater perks and privileges for them and their family members, flour - the most important staple food, was being sold at Rs31 per kilogramme in the local market. Just a day earlier, the government raised the petroleum products’ prices by 10 to 20 per cent. But none of these issues, which have badly affected the life of the masses, could catch the attention of the masses’ representatives.  
The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which is constantly asserting that it had been voted to power by the people with the mandate of ensuring “Roti, Kapra aur Makan” to them, instead of restoration of the deposed judges, is keeping itself aloof from the miseries of the masses.
Whenever Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is asked when the deposed judges would be restored, he says PPP was given mandate for “Roti Kapra aur Makan” and not for judges’ restoration. 
The new government has disappointed the people of the country in every aspect.
It is shameful that despite being an agricultural country and at the peak of the wheat harvest season, the poor people are running from pillar to post for securing flour. The government is set to import some one-and-a-half million tonnes more wheat to fulfill local demands, the manipulators and hoarding mafia is active to push the price of wheat and flour.
Despite the repeated warning of the government against the hoarders, the mafia is fleecing the poor people with impunity and has pushed the prices of wheat to an all time high of Rs2,425 per 100-kg. The hoarders and black marketeers enjoy the backing of the power people including politicians, therefore they determine the price of the commodity at their own will by creating artificial shortfall.        
According to sources, there would be no need to import wheat for meeting country’s demand, if the stock of the hoarders was brought to the market. “The country’s stock is enough to meet the domestic needs, but the hoarders have hoarded the commodity to mint money by smuggling it,” a source said, adding government is reluctant to take action against the hoarders, as many powerful people are involved in the malpractice.
The Ropti, Kapra and Makan-mandated government is constantly keeping its eyes away from the hoarders’ mafia, which has pushed the price of flour beyond the reach of the common people.          
On February 18, 2008 the people did not vote the PML-N, the PPP and the ANP to power, just for changing the faces of the rulers, but for a genuine change. The coalition government is nearing to complete its 100-day honeymoon period, but the masses are still to notice any genuine change in the country except change of faces.   
It is completely following all the flawed and ill-conceived policies of the eight years long dictatorial regime be it at internal or external front.
One is astonished how these so-called elected leaders proved themselves incompetent lots within such a short span of time. The PPP leaders are constantly claiming that the parliament was supreme and every issue would be solved in the parliament, besides pledging to ensure the supremacy of the parliament. But on the other hand, the PPP-led government authorised the chief of the army staff to take every decision on its own regarding launch of military operation in the tribal areas.  It is amazing that nowhere in the whole world the army chief has the authority to launch operation or war.
How can a grade-22 officer could be authorised to start war or a military operation?  By doing so the political government and the political parties have proved themselves that they are incompetent and do not have the capability to handle issues and crises.