Pakistan
"Don't panic!"
As soon I woke up in the morning, the news dropped like a bomb that the government has increased the prices of petroleum products by Rs12 per liter. Petrol price rose by Rs10.49 to Rs137.79 and diesel by Rs 12.44.
Imran Yaqub Khan
In the last one month, the price of petrol has gone up by a total of Rs20, which has really made the people scream. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, addressing the inaugural function of Kisan Portal, was saying that imported goods import inflation, the pressure on the rupee is temporary, we have imported wheat, sugar, ghee, we are trying that everything be produced in the country.
During the reporting of this (PM's) speech, I was looking for a phrase, "Don't panic", but despite searching all the newspapers, I couldn't find these words of consolation from the Prime Minister. I was searching for these words because I was nervous. The reason for the panic was the announcement of the Federal Minister of Energy, the announcement of the Utility Stores Corporation and the ticking of the petrol bomb.
Electricity has been increased by Rs39 paise per unit but there is no need to panic. The slab of cheap electricity for the poor has been reduced from 300 units to 200 units, but there is no need to panic. The price of essentials at utility stores has gone up by Rs15-45 but there is no need to panic. Edible oil prices of 5 companies have been increased from Rs14 to Rs110 at utility stores but there is no need to panic. The price of a two kilogram pack of washing powder has been increased from Rs10 to Rs21 but there is no need to panic. Repeated instructions about hand wash to avoid coronavirus and an increase of up to Rs15 in the price of bath soup and an increase of Rs9 in the price of a 228 ml pack of handwash but do not panic. The poor used to eat bread with pickles and the price of pickles has been increased by more than 200 per cent. The price of three grams of pickles has been increased from Rs20 to Rs44 but there is no need to worry.
The government's own statistics agency says the overall inflation rate has reached 12.66 per cent. Inflation for low-income earners has reached 14.12%. Prices of 22 essential commodities rose in one week. The price of tomato increased by Rs11 per kg, LPG cylinder for domestic use has gone up by more than Rs43, 2.5kg ghee price jumped Rs6.9, while prices of rice, garlic, potato, mutton and Gurr also went up.
Despite the words "don't panic", there is no moment of relief and it seems that the captain's famous slogan "I will make them cry" was not for political rivals but for the people. The average income of the salaried class in the country is 20,000 to 25,000. What was left of this revenue after paying electricity, gas and water bills, which the government is now bent on squeezing further.
The word squeezing was used because Federal Minister for Energy Hamad Azhar, while announcing the increase in electricity rates, had admitted that the burden of revolving loans is currently being borne by the people mainly due to capacity payments, which are now Rs700 to Rs800 billion. Thus, the confession of the federal minister proved that arrangements are being made to squeeze Rs800 billion from the people.
The working class and a sslaried class were interested in the captain's slogans. Addressing the Kisan Card Portal function, the captain pointed this out, saying the PTI has launched a movement for justice, Allah Almighty especially listens to the voice of the weak and working class. A man in the street is seen seeking justice. Captain sahib what to talk about your slogan of 'Insaaf' you have forced even poor class to beg for food. The rulers should come ourt on the streets without protocols to see the poor queuing up at traffic signals for begging. Poverty and unemployment could be seen among youth standing alongthe banks of the city canal and injecting drugs into their bodies, while young girls could be seen wearing burqas with their hands outstretched.
Rising electricity, oil and gas prices, continouous depriciation of Pak rupee, the collapse of economy sinks, the world's laughter at a "sensitive deployment" are the outcome of change (of government) that came in 2018. Though the Opposition still insist the change didn;t come, but was brought. Whatever the case, the loss is happening to Pakistan and the millions of people living in it. The scourge of inflation has grappled the country so badly that there is not a single household whose expenditure and income have not "changed". People are now fed up with hollow claims of accountability.
While blowing the horn on inflation, mismanagement and unnecessary issues from institutions, is the government realizing that there will be no response? The patience of the people is running out. The opposition is gearing up for the last battle. The government has reached the abyss of its popularity.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen also made it clear during a press conference in Washington that inflation wouldn't come down. In such a situation, whatever the government does to entertain the people cannot be stopped in the face of public outrage. The billions of rupees of subsidies and amnesty schemes if were directed towards modernizing the industry, there would be economic activity in the country today and jobs would be created.
If it is to be accepted that the previous governments haven't paid attention to these problems, but question is what have you (PTI) done in these three years? How long will the rulers and governments of the past continue to cover up their incompetence and worthlessness? The time for elections-- the day of reckoning for any government-- is also coming and of course the people are watching and testing everything. You will have to run a knife on your development budget due to the IMF conditions. Are you ready for that too? Treat inflation immediately or the "Tsunami of change" will knock you to the brink of public outrage!
Business
Gold price decreases in int’l, local market
Officials stated that local prices of gold came down due to the low prices in the international market
Karachi: The gold price has decreased to $2308 per ounce with the reduction of $8 in the international billion market.
According to the details, in the local markets the 24-caret gold’s price reduced to Rs900 and came to Rs241000 while the price of 10 grams of gold also reduced to Rs771 and came to Rs206619.
Similarly, the price of silver per tola reduced Rs10 and came to Rs2620 and the 10 grams silver price reached to Rs2246.22 with the reduction of Rs8.58.
However, the officials stated that the local prices of gold came down due to the low prices in the international market.
Pakistan
PM's Saudi Arabia visit to deliver positive results in few months: Tarar
The minister says comprehensive planning by Saudis for investment in Pakistan is a turning point in the bilateral relations
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said 'highly successful' second visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia within a month to participate in the World Economic Forum, was historic and major development, which would eventually bring about extensive positive results within next few months.
Addressing a press conference along with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, he said comprehensive planning by Saudi Arabia for investment in Pakistan was a turning point in the bilateral relations.
Tarar said that multiple meetings were held with the Saudi ministers on the sidelines of the WEF during the Prime Minister’s visit. “In two days, 12 high-level meetings were held with ministers and major personalities of Saudi Arabia including ministers for finance, industries, investment, energy and climate change”, he said.
The Saudi ministers expressed their commitment to work with Pakistan with regard to bilateral cooperation and investment on the special directives of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, he added.
Within a short span of just one month, the Prime Minister had two meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince that had a historic significance for the two brotherly countries.
He said immediately after Eidul Fitr, the Saudi Finance Minister visited Pakistan along with relevant ministers and extensive consultations were held regarding economic cooperation
and investment.
On the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince, the Saudi ministers formulated a comprehensive programme for cooperation with Pakistan , he added.
The minister said that it was was the new robust initiative in Pakistan-Saudi relations, and the specific results of the Prime Minister’s historic visit have started to come to fore.
Attaullah Tarar said that in follow-up to the PM’s Saudi visit, a delegation of Saudi businessmen was also coming to Pakistan in the next few days.
“This is the outcome of successful foreign policy of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “, he said, adding that the exchange of delegations will continue between the two brotherly countries. He said that a delegation of Pakistani ministers including Petroleum Minister Mussadaq Malik, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Minister for Energy Awais Laghari and officials of Special Investment Facilitation Council had reached Saudi Arabia a day before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and returned one day after him as they held meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
He said when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said during his speech at the World Economic Forum that peace in the world was not possible without peace in Gaza, the entire hall clapped for him.
Attaullah Tarar said that a campaign by a section of media, intelligentsia and academia regarding online harassment and fake news was witnessed on social media recently.
He opined that there must be an end to any harassment, including online and said suggestions should be put forward to the government on how to counter such campaigns.
He said that there was also call for specific authority to address the issue of online harassment as at present there was no law to protect digital rights of consumers.
He said it was imperative to avert propaganda and rumors on social media and ensure the protection of people’s digital rights.
He said it was high time to take measures to prevent trends on social media targeting specific persons. He said it was necessary to create awareness among the general public about their digital rights.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued directives for increasing the wheat procurement target to facilitate the farmers who contributed heavily in the rural economy.
Pakistan
Int’l community hold India accountable for espionage in countries: FO
The spokesperson urges the United Nations Security Council to impose immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday urged the international community to hold India accountable for espionage in foreign countries that is in violation international law.
The call was made by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while responding to questions at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today.
The spokesperson said India's expanding spies’ network is a matter of concern for international community. She said Pakistan has already presented concrete evidence of involvement of Indian agents in terror attacks inside Pakistan.
These are illegal acts in violation of international law and against the basic precepts of justice and due process. Replying another question, the Spokesperson said Pakistan urges India to ensure peace along the Line of Control and desist from taking any action that may contribute to difficulties.
To a question regarding Pak-Iran bilateral ties, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan will continue to strengthen cooperation with Iran and the two countries have mechanisms to discuss counter-terrorism and security matters to ensure peace along Pak-Iran border.
On Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said Indian brutalities could never quell the Kashmiri people's struggle and passion for freedom and India's illegal ceasing of their properties is also destined to meet similar failure.
About the Gaza situation, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's support to the Palestinian people and urged the United Nations Security Council to impose immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
She said Israeli actions are in breach of international law and undermine prospects for a two-state solution to the conflict. She said Pakistan is deeply concerned over Israel's bellicose statements regarding Rafah and that any assault on Rafah would be unacceptable.
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