With prices of coal and gas rising in the world market the cost of power production has continued to rise over the year. This translated into increase in electricity charges month after month. The increase in August was shocking for those belonging to the lower and middle income groups, leading to spontaneous protests in a number of cities in the country. This led PM Shehbaz Sharif to announce exemption from fuel adjustment charge for 17 million power consumers. The measure was all the more needed at a time when inflation has reached one of the highest peaks ever in the country.
Much more needs the attention of Mr Sharif and PTI chief Imran Khan.
The country is currently going through a harrowing weather condition characterized by torrential rains followed by devastating floods. The destruction across the country has left thousands of people homeless and without sustenance. The government on Tuesday decided to launch an international appeal seeking funds for relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit people and restoration of damaged infrastructure. It would have been more appropriate to first call upon the country’s super-rich to announce donations for the disaster funds. It would have improved the rating of the government if cabinet ministers and leaders of the ruling coalition had been among the first to announce their contributions.
It would be a blot on the name of the country’s politicians that they continue to be focused on their power struggle while what is required is for all to work together to help those facing the wrath of the climate change. Politics needs to be put to one side in these trying times. Instead of point scoring and finger pointing the parties of the alliance in control of the federal government and Imran Khan led PTI which rules Punjab and KP need to work together to deal with the calamity the country faces.
