Soaring prices of essential commodities, especially wheat flour, sugar, rice and pulses, have added to the woes of common man. There is now great resentment amongst the public over the government’s failure to rein in the prices.
Chairing a meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the members of his economic team to take immediate steps to bring down the prices of basic food items within a fortnight. Over the last month or so, the Prime Minister has repeatedly chaired meetings to address the situation but so far no relief appears to be in sight, as Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported last week that inflation rate has risen to 14.6pc in January from 12.6pc in the previous month, scaling the highest level in 12 years. The data released shows that higher food prices, particularly of wheat and wheat flour, pulses, sugar and edible oil, has been the biggest driver of overall inflation in January. It has also been observed that the prices of essential food items, especially vegetable and fruit, were higher in rural areas than in urban areas, which in fact is an unprecedented phenomenon. The government indeed cannot turn its back to the current situation and it needs to take practical steps to check the prices of items in the open market. Failure will have serious consequences for the government as sans masses support, it cannot implement its reforms agenda. Strict action needs to be taken against those behind creating artificial shortage of commodities and robbing the pockets of common man. Then, a strict price control mechanism needs to be put in place at the district and tehsil level to protect the consumers from the high handedness of certain elements.
One had pinned great expectations with the PTI when it assumed power that it will deliver to its promises and provide relief to the masses. Initial period was difficult for the government as it was faced with serious balance of payment crisis but as the situation stands much improved now, it is time to provide the relief to the people especially the employees who have been worst affected by the price hike. They should be given sufficient raise in their salaries. Besides, the power tariff needs to be brought down as they are going beyond the reach of the people. As the oil prices are witnessing declining trend in the international market, petrol and diesel prices should be reduced. These steps will also help bring down the prices of essential commodities.
