Shutter-down
Browbeaten at the hands of spiralling inflation, amid irrational power bills and fuel prices, the nation went on a unanimous strike countrywide. The shutter-down was apolitical, irrespective of the fact that Jamaat-e-Islami was at the vanguard in calling for a day’s strike — on Saturday. Most of the businesses in major cities, nonetheless, were at lowest ebb even on Friday as shopkeepers registered their protest over umpteenth issues that have jeopardised their economic wheel.
Saturday’s call was primarily on the part of traders’ associations, as they were also swift in detailing a plan of action if the exorbitant taxes on electricity bills were not withdrawn. The closure of shops, malls and even informal businesses across the country has come as a surprise as it is for the first time in years that unanimity was exhibited on an issue of collective social interest, and that too at a time when the chips are miserably down on the political and economic turfs.
With prices of essential commodities registering unprecedented hikes and power bills literally un-payable for salaried classes, it seems a momentum of anger is on the cards. The frustration could find refuge in lawlessness if remedial measures are not set in, and that too in real time. People across the country and in Azad Kashmir rallying against inflated energy bills must be addressed serenely, as it pertains to the day to day livelihood of all and sundry. The electricity tariff shock this time around has even bitten the affluent. There is a strategic flaw in disbursing the burden of production and consumption, and that must be rectified. Making it an excuse to mint money for state exchequer is not going to work.
The Fiscal Risk Statement 2023-24 from the Ministry of Finance has proved that Pakistan faces a severe governance problem, as it had spelt out policy implementation, higher sovereign guarantees and poor performance of state-owned entities as factors behind the dismal scenario, which has heightened the country’s external stability. Will someone respond as to where we fumbled?
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2023.
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