As Ramazan begins in Pakistan, so does the financial strangulation of its residents – a hellacious cycle that performs out with out fail and is as inevitable because the seasonal flu that returns every year to weaken the already frail. Whereas a lot of the world marks festive seasons with reductions and reduction (consider Christmas gross sales within the West or Diwali value drops in India), Pakistan flips the script: costs soar and what needs to be a holy month goes off the rails, turning into an financial burden for the common citizen. Why’s essentially the most holy month additionally the most costly month?!
Simply throughout the borders India and Iran take steps to make sure affordability throughout Ramazan. India, as an illustration, cuts import duties; Iran imposes strict anti-hoarding and price-fixing legal guidelines; whereas right here in Pakistan staple meals flip into gold mud, out of attain for low-income households.
The fruit, vegetable, dairy, poultry and meat sellers strike a goldmine each Ramazan, raking in a yr’s income in a month. Producers jack up costs earlier than Ramazan solely to roll them again barely later to feign selflessness — simply as textile manufacturers do earlier than mega gross sales the place inflated costs are slashed to create the phantasm of reductions. In the meantime, everybody conveniently blames the federal government and the federal government, in flip, brushes off accountability with hole political statements.
The Ministry of Finance has already warned that inflation will rise to 4% in March, a pointy rise from January’s 2.41%. This rising inflation is palpable in on a regular basis necessities. Regardless of official assurances of capping sugar at Rs130 per kg, costs have blown previous that restrict — nearing Rs180 per kg. It is a acquainted story: officers make lofty guarantees and renege on them, very similar to the numerous value management directives throughout previous Ramazans that hardly ever noticed enforcement.
Ok-P’s chief secretary lately laid out plans to manage costs, promote these costs throughout media platforms and combine them into the Efficiency Administration System whereas directing DCs to make sure stringent oversight. Sounds good on paper! However the actual check is in implementation. If it really works, the remaining ought to comply with go well with. However given previous failures, enforcement will stay weak and profiteers will preserve making a killing.
There’s one thing to be mentioned about Basic Ziaul Haq’s period. Controversial as his rule might have been, his Ramazan insurance policies a minimum of enforced some self-discipline. Quick ahead to the current: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveils a Ramazan reduction package deal value Rs20 billion — excess of final yr’s Rs7 billion. However the query stays: will this cash correctly attain these in want or simply fatten the pockets of the standard suspects?
Ramazan needs to be a time of reflection, generosity, ease, compassion, unity and non secular renewal. However as an alternative, it brings stress and despair and forces the frequent man into survival mode, like an financial battlefield the place solely the wealthiest emerge unscathed. The federal government should do greater than announce reduction packages; authorities should make sure that reduction truly reaches those that want it most whereas additionally cracking down on hoarders, profiteers and black entrepreneurs who overtly money in on the month of Ramazan. The worth management division and administrative our bodies should step up – not only for Ramazan, however past.
If the state will not act, the group and volunteers should intervene, however ought to personal charity be a stand-in for governance? Individuals cannot shoulder these burdens yr after yr; change is just not optionally available, it is lengthy late.