It is through your esteemed newspaper that I would like to draw attention to the concerned authorities towards the unprecedented hike in prices of essential commodities. When Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken over the reins of the country, he was adamant on “zero tolerance for corruption in the country”. During the last few months, prices of every product have shot up drastically.
It is unbearable to afford basic commodities as Prices of each and everything have risen and it has been very difficult for the poor and middle-class to survive and feed their families. It is understood that inflation has stricken the world all over, but it is unbearable in Pakistan for a poor man whose daily wage is below 5$. The price of petrol has risen twice in just a month and electricity bills are tearing us apart. Despite several efforts and assurances, the government has failed to control the prices. The inflation rate has almost tripled as compared to 2018. The main causes of inflation have been the increase in the dollar’s value, high prices of raw materials, high taxes and incompetence of the government for not holding accountable the corrupt leaders.
As a result, the poor become poorer day by day. The government has changed a lot of ministers so far and blamed them for putting our country in such dire straits but that doesn’t absolve them from responsibility. The government must act immediately and check on blackmarketing, hoarding and profiteering. It should strictly deal with those who are found guilty.
It is high time the government must own its responsibility and keep a stern check on rising inflation, unemployment, incidents of crimes, particularly rapes and murder, manufacturing sectors and above all the overall GDP has declined to near 1 per cent. The government must review its performance based on these indicators.
ADNAN ALI MUGHAL
Islamabad
