Daily Times

In a sudden and surprise move, the government notified a record hike in the prices of petroleum products, including petrol and diesel ranging from 27 per cent to 66pc. The per liter price of petrol was raised from 75 to 100.10 rupees while high speed diesel was hiked by more than Rs 21 to reach 100.14 per liter. During covid-19 crises, when every country was providing relief to its citizens, very few believed the PTI government would totally surrender to petroleum. The government bypassed oil sector regulator- OGRA- to allow the oil mafia pocket billions of rupee overnight.

Interestingly, when the government along with the oil mafia was stabbing the poor masses in their back, the international market recorded a slight reduction in crude oil prices to reach forty dollars a barrel.

The PTI government broke the back of the poor by increasing the base prices of petroleum as well as charging full petroleum levy, Rs30, and Rs 17, sales tax. Now the poor are being charged more than Rs 47 on the actual per liter petrol price. PTI government of Imran Khan could have given relief by reducing petroleum levy and GST but it fully burdened masses instead.

Earlier this month, when the government reduced oil prices due to reduction in the international market, the oil mafia choked the supply orchestrating an artificial crisis. To resolve the crises, the government fined a few million rupees to a few oil marketing companies but eventually totally capitulated as the oil mafia has sufficient representation in the central cabinet and bureaucracy. Prime Minister Imran Khan couldn’t succumb to pressure, and pocketed billions of rupees to the hoarders. The government has plundered the poor to allow the oil mafia earn approximately Rs 70 billion a month. Is this the change Khan had promised for?

While mafias are present everywhere, the question is who will bell the cat?

In corporate democracy, capitalists and interest groups invest in political parties to bring them to the helm and later get privileges from the ruling party. But state institutions and the law, ensures that national kitty is not plundered. Sugar & wheat scandals and current hike in petroleum prices show deep penetration of vested groups in government, state institutions, bureaucracy and political parties. The state institutions responsible for acts against such mafias have become a tool to settle scores with political opponents of the ruling party. The country is being run by the mafias who are plundering the poor.

While mafias are present everywhere, the question is who will bell the cat? The masses have been left to the mercy of mafias and the people have accepted the fate. No sign of resistance in civil society whatsoever.

Other than showing resentment over social media against the historic price hike that too for only twenty-four hours, neither mass protests were held nor civil society was mobilized. The government dropped the petrol bomb, so instead of protesting, people rushed to get cheap petrol. This indicates the social mindset where individual interest is preferred over collective interest.

The civil society is also absent to raise voice on issues pertinent to public interest. Unfortunately, students, lawyers, non-government organizations and other social groups never come out to protect public interest. An aware, responsible and vibrant civil society can resist anti-public measures. Due to deep penetration of mafias in state institutions, political parties and bureaucracy, nobody will do anything against mafias like oil, sugar & wheat mafias. Only civil society can bring about the real change by rising against this oppressive system. As long as we keep quiet, oppression & abuse of the people will continue. People will have to raise their voice to show that the nation is still alive.

The absence of a vibrant and strong civil society and people’s silence is probably the primary cause that allows governments to adopt policies unfriendly to masses. In Europe and the USA where civil societies are vibrant, responsive and strong, people resort to mass protest on trivial public issues. The yellow vest protest in one such example where people remained on the streets for months against French government transport policy. The killing of George Floyd brought Americans to the streets that transformed to an international movement against racism. But, in countries like Pakistan, people remain silent on all kinds of oppression and brutality.

As for opposition parties, they play petty politics on public issues. Not much is ever done by them to protect public interest. During the current price hike, opposition parties didn’t issue a call for mass protest to force the government to revert the prices. Surely, mafias have deep penetrations in opposition parties as well that force them to offer lip-service on public issues only. The capitalists and interest groups present in various political parties converge on issues pertinent to their interests. Be it agriculture, industry or any other area, such interest groups represented in the parliament ensure to protect vested interest. Unfortunately, mafias are represented, while very few talk and act for commoners.

Prime Minister Imran Khan came to the helm on a promise to bring about the real change in the system. In reality, PTI government has been an utter disappointment. He and his party have totally surrendered to various mafias. People have not been provided with any relief. Rather people have been left to the mercy of looters and plunderers. Prime Minister Imran Khan claims to act against mafias but will he act against such elements present in his own party?

The writer is a journalist & analyst working at the International Desk of a news channel. He tweets at @kashifaliraza & can be reached at meetkashi514@gmail.com