A month of blessings or season of exploitation – Business Opinion

The holy month of Ramazan was anticipated to be a time of communal solidarity, charity, and spiritual reflection. However, the reality on the ground speaks a different narrative. Instead of the expected benevolence, the markets of Pakistan are plagued by inflation, mercilessly exploiting the vulnerable populace.

Ordinary citizens are burdened by the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, rendering items like flour, sugar, fruits, pulses, and basic items for Iftar and Sehri unattainable for many families. Although the government made efforts to lower petrol and LPG prices, the oppressive grip of market cartels persists, manipulating prices to their advantage. The indifference or complicity of local administrations further exacerbates the people’s plight, allowing profiteers to operate unchecked.

The traditional bazaars of Shikarpur, once vibrant centers of commerce, now stand as grim reminders of financial distress. Every visit to these markets reveals yet another surge in costs, leaving families struggling to afford basic necessities. Eggs, sugar, and poultry are among the goods subjected to relentless price hikes, coercing consumers to negotiate with unscrupulous vendors over inflated prices.

While the government boasts about its control over inflation, the reality tells a different story. Families living in poverty are forced to face the harsh reality of rising prices while the government dismisses their suffering with false assurances of stability. The complex situation exposes the profound mismatch between political rhetoric and the ground realities faced by ordinary Pakistanis.

The seasonal price surge is not accidental but a well-thought-out strategy by opportunists looking to exploit the vulnerable. These actors deliberately create artificial scarcity, hoarding essential items to provoke spikes in demand during Ramazan. What should be a time of self-reflection and spiritual growth for Muslims is cynically reduced to a profit-making venture for these unscrupulous elements.

In response to mounting pressures, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rolled out a Rs. 20 billion Ramazan relief package to assist four million deserving families. Although such initiatives are commendable, they address the symptoms rather than the root causes of inflation. The temporary relief measures fail to tackle the rampant market manipulation plaguing the country each Ramazan.

An inherent flaw in the system is the lack of price control mechanisms. Despite government-issued price lists, retailers and wholesalers blatantly flout regulations, underscoring the administration’s ineffectiveness in enforcing compliance. The regulatory bodies, like the Bureau of Supply and Prices, boast about their efforts but remain conspicuously silent amidst the prevailing exploitation. This neglect only emboldens profiteers, perpetuating the cycle of unchecked inflation year after year.

While the affluent elites remain shielded from the economic hardships, the common people bear the brunt of price hikes. The elite’s ostentatious lifestyles stand in stark contrast to the struggles of ordinary citizens, who are forced to ration basic necessities. Calls for austerity should begin within the corridors of power, where excessive luxuries must be curtailed to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

In conclusion, the Ramazan period in Pakistan should be a time of reflection and community spirit. However, it has devolved into a season of exploitation, where profiteers thrive at the expense of the vulnerable. Addressing this pervasive issue demands a comprehensive approach that targets the root causes of inflation and market manipulation, ensuring lasting relief for all citizens.