Price Hike Before Ramazan

Asem Mustafa Awan
A new spike of inflation has gripped the country well ahead of the start of Ramazan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims all over the world. The back breaking rise in prices of daily use items is taking toll on all but particularly on the middle and low income groups.

The hoarders and profiteers are rubbing their palms in glee at the prospect of doubling and trebling their takes during the holy month. No effort is spared for the exploitation of customers inevitably motivated by the spirit of the Ramazan to spend more on food and other essentials, not withstanding that this is against the spirit of the holy month.

The consumer exploited happens every year around and during the month of the holy month and every year the government fails to keep in the commercial mafia.

Special measures as always announced with provincial governments organizing Ramazan bazaars where food items are available at controlled rates but often the quality of merchandises at these outlets is sub-standard to the dismay of the public.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) vociferously raised concerns regarding the price hike and inflation when the Imran Khan’s PTI was at the helm but what is being witnessed now is far worse. Even the Chairman of People’s Party and Foreign Minister of PDM government, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has shared his disappointment on the inability of the coalition government to keep a handle on inflation and costs of living. This is also shared by others in the coalition.

Even the people in government believe that if the current level of inflation stays unchecked, it will be impossible for them to win the general elections ahead.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a cabinet meeting two weeks ago ordered strict action against hoarders and profiteers, giving the local administrations a free hand to take action but no effective plan seems to be emerging following the direction by the PM regarding how the impending issue be tackled.

Part of the problem is the failure over the years to increase the capacity of the farmers. Despite Pakistan being an agrarian economy, it has to import wheat and other staple food products to meet the staple needs of the people. The country has the potential to grow all kinds of crops and fruits but the government seems to turn a deaf ear to the farmers’ plight of capacity building.

The government announced the Kisan Package six months ago only to abandon it later. The Minister of Food and Agriculture initially remained reluctant and then said it had to be shelved because it was a condition of the IMF.

So much is happening in Pakistan with no relief in sight. It is time for policymakers to join hands to take Pakistan out of this quagmire.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.