Even as they were leaving, the federal government did not refrain from imposing a petrol bomb on the people. Consequently, under a rare royal order issued yesterday, which was immediately implemented, a significant increase of Rs19.95 per litre was made in the prices of petroleum products, the effects of which have already become evident in the form of immediate and cash inflation on commodity prices.
This increase in fuel prices has severely 0verburdned the already inflation-hit people. It like”adding fuel to the fire” for them. The ease and carelessness with which this new episode of price increases in fuel has been carried out indicate that the government officials are completely indifferent and do not care about how this “inevitable” increase will wreak havoc on the people and lead to further hardships in various sectors of life.
The continuous series of such disastrous decisions by the government has blurred the distinction between the rich and the poor in the country. The escalating and uncontrolled inflation and price hikes have engulfed every individual coming from different walks of life and now there is no distinction left between the poor and the rich.
Due to the failed policies of these incompetent rulers, the middle class has already been crushed. Both the rich and the poor are now suffering under the burden of relentless inflation.
At a time when the government is nearing the end of its term, it was hoped that the government would refrain from further increasing fuel prices to avoid the consequences of these increases. However, with extreme cruelty, indifference, and heartlessness, the government aggressively jacked up the fuel prices.
The increase of up to Rs. 20 per litre in the price of petrol is a masterpiece of heartlessness and cruelty. There seems to be no other solution for the government to reduce the burden of debts and save the country from bankruptcy other than loading the entire burden onto the weak and feeble shoulders of the people. This indicates that all the sections of the government are completely inept, corrupt, immoral, and lacking administrative capabilities.
The question arises, is the title of this inevitable and difficult decision to continue burdening the people with all the weight the solution to the problem? Will it help the economy come out of the crisis? Will the debts be paid off? How long will this chain of events continue? The slogans of economic recovery are being shouted with great enthusiasm, but it seems that this formula for economic recovery has been showing for two long years that the oil of the people is being extracted with heartlessness and the cost of economic recovery is being collected from the pockets of the people.
This unscientific and cruel method of “recovery” has left the people in a wretched state. The question arises, if this is the government’s formula for economic stability, then what justification is there for continuing to pander to the government and enduring the sufferings of the people? Even a secretary of the treasury can present this report of the government’s disgraceful financial management.
Is this the economic magic and technical skill of Asad Umar, for which the PML-N and its coalition partners were mocking and criticizing the incompetence? The reality is that the current most critical state of the economy and administration is the cause for concern that the “thief of the shroud” was a booty. It is being proved that even in these worst conditions, the rulers and their privileged class are not only unwilling to be deprived of their privileges, but they are also increasing them with extreme shamelessness, audacity, heartlessness, and cruelty.
Amidst the severe economic conditions of the country, the media is full of stories of how Chairman Senate, parliamentarians, military and civil officers, ministers, and government officials are openly receiving additional allowances, free electricity, free gas, free petrol, free accommodation, free travel, and increased salaries. It seems that the unfortunate people of Pakistan are not only at the mercy of unworthy and incompetent rulers but are also subjugated to the captivity of the unfeeling aristocracy.
The incompetence and heartlessness of the rulers are such that while working to eliminate administrative flaws, waste of funds, and corruption in bureaucratic crises, they are not reducing but increasing their illegitimate and regal allowances.
The situation is such that those who used to lead protest movements against inflation and price hikes during the previous government are now ruthlessly subjecting the people to unbearable hardships and suffering. And the worst part is that this group of unworthy and cruel rulers is even planning unconstitutional and undemocratic schemes to once again impose itself on the people in the next elections, regardless of the people’s feelings. The artificial support will create more problems in their return.
They must realize that if the solution to economic stability is this formula, then is it permissible to continue clinging to the government and subjecting the people to the oppressions of the rulers? This shameful saga of economic and administrative trials is revealing that even after all the experiments of the experts, their sole concern was to protect their own interests, and thus, it is quite evident that, even in these worst conditions, the rulers and their privileged class are not only unwilling to be deprived of their privileges but are also increasing them with extreme shamelessness, audacity, heartlessness, and cruelty.
The people have endured the most severe conditions of economic decline and witnessed the people who once ruled with an iron fist now themselves are trembling and shivering with the support of crutches. Thus, it is quite apparent that the people are now liberated from all emotional attachment, concern, and responsibility for the unworthy rulers and their unfeeling aristocracy.
The rulers’ incompetence and heartlessness have created an atmosphere where they are not only burdening the people with unbearable hardships but are also going beyond limits to impose themselves on the people, even in the face of unconstitutional and undemocratic schemes. However, incompetent rulers must realize that the people have descended from their hearts. Artificial support will only create more problems for them.
