Increase in POL prices draws consumers’ ire
Gilgit-Baltistan residents call move ‘financial terrorism’.
GILGIT:
The government’s decision to increase petrol prices on April Fools’ Day is being termed ‘financial terrorism’ by people in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
“[The price hike] is nothing but ‘financial terrorism’ on the part of the government,” said Tufail Ahmed, a businessman, on Friday. He said that people were already strapped for cash and resources and the current increase has simply added fuel to fire.
Others hoped it was an April fool’s prank. “I hoped it was an ‘April Fool Bomb’ when it was announced,” said a student.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority raised POL prices by 9 to 13 per cent on Thursday.
Despite knowing that the majority of people in Pakistan, especially in G-B, are poor and many sell their children due to poverty, the ‘people’s friendly’ government keeps increasing the prices of items that are most essential to the poor.
“What will happen to people like us now? How will we survive after this?” were some of the questions people like Tanvir Ali and others asked. Ali purchased a taxi to earn a living but incessant price hikes have ruined his hopes.
“I was shocked to learn that the increase was more than 10 rupees per litre,” he said. He added that he has lost hope in the government.
Musa Karim, another resident of Gilgit, said, “It is the responsibility of the state to provide food and security to its people, but here the case is reversed: these necessities are being snatched from us.”
The abrupt increase in petroleum prices has dealt a crushing blow to the already resource-strapped people of G-B, with many running out of ways and means to make ends meet. “I am simply lost,” said Maqood Mohammad, an employee of an NGO. “There is no way out of this new quagmire.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 02nd, 2011.
The government’s decision to increase petrol prices on April Fools’ Day is being termed ‘financial terrorism’ by people in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
“[The price hike] is nothing but ‘financial terrorism’ on the part of the government,” said Tufail Ahmed, a businessman, on Friday. He said that people were already strapped for cash and resources and the current increase has simply added fuel to fire.
Others hoped it was an April fool’s prank. “I hoped it was an ‘April Fool Bomb’ when it was announced,” said a student.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority raised POL prices by 9 to 13 per cent on Thursday.
Despite knowing that the majority of people in Pakistan, especially in G-B, are poor and many sell their children due to poverty, the ‘people’s friendly’ government keeps increasing the prices of items that are most essential to the poor.
“What will happen to people like us now? How will we survive after this?” were some of the questions people like Tanvir Ali and others asked. Ali purchased a taxi to earn a living but incessant price hikes have ruined his hopes.
“I was shocked to learn that the increase was more than 10 rupees per litre,” he said. He added that he has lost hope in the government.
Musa Karim, another resident of Gilgit, said, “It is the responsibility of the state to provide food and security to its people, but here the case is reversed: these necessities are being snatched from us.”
The abrupt increase in petroleum prices has dealt a crushing blow to the already resource-strapped people of G-B, with many running out of ways and means to make ends meet. “I am simply lost,” said Maqood Mohammad, an employee of an NGO. “There is no way out of this new quagmire.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 02nd, 2011.