Oh the Drama

JUST when the Supreme Court played its role issuing stay order against introduction of new Carbon Surcharge Tax in lieu of already sky high petroleum levy showing how it is possible to give relief to the people when government itself failed, the government played its card, in a crooked way as usual and petrol is being sold at the same price yet again. Well, this clearly shows that our man on top is well aware of how to use the back doors when the gates are being watched by sentinels. But public has its own way of reacting to situations. What the government did by introducing the Petroleum Levy Ordinance might produce far more repercussions than what the government would have expected, I mean this is such a stupid act taken at a time when the common lot feels so contented in cursing the PPP government for inflation, for the Damocles’ sword of expected increasing electricity tariff and not to forget the sizzling hot weather that affects the temperaments to a considerable extent. I can see a quick response by the public that may soon ensue.

It may surprise some factors as to why the government showed such a sense of urgency in re-imposing the tax with a different name, my answer to that surprise is-we have Mr.10% as our president, who knows how much share he has under the disguise of petroleum levy. Pakistan Zindabaad!

Fuel Prices

IT is amazing how our government responds to certain situations. Going back a few months when the issue of restoration of Chief Justice was still in dispute, the government was discarding all possibilities of restoration of Chief Justice. Ironically, however, the government officials changed their statements after CJ’s reinstatement saying that government itself was considering to restore the deposed judges. A similar incident can be witnessed in the recent past as well.
Ever since his restoration, Chief Justice has taken steps to ring relief to the common lot, his appointing Justice Bhagwan Das as commission to prepare a report on petrol prices was in line with such steps. When the commission submitted its report and recommended a considerable cut in fuel prices, concerned government officials came forward with the statement that government itself was considering a cut in fuel prices by the end of the month. The sad and rather shameful aspect, however, is that the fuel prices have not been decreased to the recommended extent but only by Rs.1.44. What is even more shameful and requires action from the Chief Justice is the attitude adopted by the petrol pump owners on occasions when fuel prices are likely to reduce. They create fake shortage of fuel and charge even higher prices per liter and their atrocities always go unchecked. Such opportunists should be dealt with the iron hand and brought to justice.

Frailty, thy name is...

The government recently celebrated its 100 days and much hullabaloo was created by the government itself declaring this period to be very successful. The way it was proclaimed a successful period forces me to quote (yet again) from Goebbels, “the greater the lie the more convincing it would appear.”

Seems like the government under PPP chanting the slogan of Roti Kapra aur Makaan is bent upon eradicating poverty from the country and which it is doing by attempting to eradicate the poor lot itself. And if this doesn’t sound reasonable, the news is that the fuel prices have been increased yet again so let’s be prepared to face another surge in prices of other commodities as well. Interestingly, the news of increasing rate of inflation is usually accompanied by the news of every stabilizing economy of the country.

The much promoted success story tended to present a well painted portrait but the detail of this portrait includes an increase in general unrest, worsening political situation, deteriorating economy, mounting inflation, devaluing currency, and what not. And if this is not enough, hazard from across the border(s) is also apprehended. The (in)famous 100 days thus might have something of success for the government itself but not for its people. Had Shakespeare been alive today, he might have said something like “Frailty, thy name is Pakistani government!”