Daily Times

Sir: The recent increase in the price of petroleum products is the worst example of shifting economic burden to masses without considering people’s economics and their ability to manage their day-to-day affairs in the already inflation-ridden country. Everybody knows that increase in the price of petrol causes price hike of each and every item of daily use. We live in a society where no protection is given to consumers’ rights; increased cost of production is directly shifted to the end-users by traders’ inter-alia adding more to their profits. To an ordinary man this hike in prices brings many agonies such as rise in fares, and similarly food items become expensive. This causes havoc to salaried class and fixed income people who barely find it possible to keep their bones and flesh together. Instead of giving relief to the people who are chained in financial shackles, more miseries are inflicted upon them. There must be a limit to extort people. It is earnestly requested that government should put its effort in reducing the circular debt, foreign debts, and rampant corruption, stemming from every nook and corner of the country. Squeezing people to their last blood by rising petrol prices is unfair and beyond democratic ethics. The increase may be taken back and alternate sources of income may be explored so that people may have a sigh of relief.

IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad