THE present conditions of the
country may be characterised as ‘out of control’. This applies especially to
prices of commodities (necessities of daily life) and services (doctors’ fees,
charges of beauticians and building contractors).
Prices have doubled and tripled in some cases during the last four months (price
spiral took place one month before the election). What has happened during the
last four months? Everybody says that it is due to the rise in petroleum prices.
But we are not paying double or triple amount at the petrol pump. It is really
an excuse that everybody is using to make more profit from the uncontrolled
situation in the country. There is nobody to stop them.
It seems as if a bunch of naïve is running the government. None of them seem to
have the experience or the knowledge of how to control the market.
They have left it to fate to let the market forces (supply and demand) remain in
imbalance, leaving it to some very corrupt people involved in making money for
themselves.
They are creating artificial shortages of most commodities and the government
has not been able to pinpoint them. We often read statements from various
ministers that they will soon do something but very little has been done.
Market forces cannot be stable with such a corrupt environment. As against the
rise in prices in daily necessities, the salaries of the common working people
have increased nominally.
The cold attitude of ‘doing nothing’ cannot last longer. The government must
take charge and control the rising prices.
All commodity dealers and service providers should be asked to roll back the
increases in prices to what were four months ago.
We cannot trust the market forces or the conscience of the businessmen in
Pakistan to consider the plight of working men. Trade in commodities may be
suspended for a while (following India’s example) to control prices. The
government has to be tough with hoarders and profiteers now before it gets too
late for the working men who are being punished for no fault of theirs.