IN a recent heart-rending incident in Umerkot, a man, after hanging his three children to death, hanged himself. The reason cited in the media was that his wife had left him and went to her parents’ house after a domestic quarrel. In fact, it was owing to hyperinflation and lack of ability to make ends meet that had caused the said quarrel between the husband and wife. This was never mentioned in media reports.

The people are being constantly told that inflation has been controlled, and it has been tamed to single digit. However, the ground reality tells a different story. Prices of daily use items, including me-dicines, are continuously rising. The proclaimed dip in inflation rate means nothing in actual life.

The only thing that has actually gone down is the price of petrol. But there is no impact on the prices of the rest of the commodities even though everything gets costlier the moment the petrol prices go up. In Johi, petrol pumps initially refused to sell petrol on reduced prices that were announced by the government.

Subsequently, they have been selling petrol and diesel with its quantity and quality seriously compromised. Likewise, tea shops in Johi have raised the price of a cup of tea by Rs10 despite official red-uction in the prices of sugar and milk.

Further, adulteration, such as the use of certain chemicals in milk, is rampant. There is no regulation or price control mechanism in place that is functional.

The relevant authorities as well as regulatory bodies continue to remain in hibernation, and if there is ever an action in the wake of public complaints and hue and cry on social media, it is nothing but a formality.

Undoubtedly, there is growing anger and frustration among the people, especially the ones belonging to lower strata of society. Those who are supposed to take action should realise the gravity of the situation and stop this exploitation before people’s anger turns towards them.

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2024