Illusion of relief

Letter September 11, 2024
Illusion of relief

KARACHI:

I am still trying to wrap my head around the recent drop in electricity prices. Was it a genuine attempt to ease our burden or just a clever ploy to pacify us? The more I think about it, the more convinced I become that it is the latter.
Take petrol prices, for instance. When they shoot up, the impact is immediate. Everyday essentials become luxuries overnight. And when prices dip, we're expected to rejoice at the "relief." But let's be real — inflation remains stubbornly high, and those price drops are mere tokenism.
I recall talking to a friend who works as a laborer. He shared how his wages have decreased despite the so-called "relief" on goods. The wage-inflation trap is a cruel joke, ensuring any gains are quickly erased.
As I look around, I see Pakistanis struggling to make ends meet. We're fed crumbs and expected to be grateful. But our voices won't be silenced. We demand meaningful change, not temporary reprieves. It's time to shatter the illusion of relief.
M Saleem
Hub City