DESPITE continued focus by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the federal cabinet and price control platforms, prices of almost all items including foodstuff are increasing with the passage of every day, putting enormous pressure on the common man. The Federal Cabinet, in its meeting on Tuesday, deliberated upon the situation, reviewed availability of wheat and sugar (finding it satisfactory) and the Prime Minister while expressing serious concern over increase in prices of food items directed the authorities concerned to formulate an effective strategy to combat food inflation.
The situation arising out of Covid-19 hit each and every segment of the society and, therefore, rationality demanded price stability to provide much-needed relief to the people. It is, however, regrettable that the prices are surging continuously due to a combination of factors that the decision-makers have not been able to address satisfactorily. Though prices of all items are witnessing an upward trend but it is more so in the case of wheat flour and sugar, which affect the layman more. If the Government is sure that adequate stocks of both the commodities are available in the country then the question arises as to why the prices are going up? The trend shows the fault lays somewhere else and it is responsibility of the authorities concerned to pinpoint the real factors and take remedial measures. Price-hike can only be tackled if the Government harmonizes its policies as some of its own actions are pushing the prices up. How can you expect a decline in prices when the Rupee continues to shed its worth due to Government’s own policy of devaluation, prices of POL products are going up frequently, there is no let up in upward adjustment of electricity and gas tariff and the Government has allowed wholesale increase in prices of medicines? The situation would worsen further if the Government approved the proposal of the Power Division to increase the power tariff by about six rupees on the pretext of surging circular debt. We would propose to the Prime Minister to have a brain-storming session with all stakeholders on how best to synchronize policies and provide genuine relief to the masses.
