By: Aima Adnan
In recent times, Pakistan has witnessed a disturbing surge in electricity tariffs, leaving citizens reeling from the aftershocks of this unjustified escalation. This dramatic surge in prices has triggered widespread panic and has ignited a fiery debate on the feasibility and rationale behind such a move. Due to this challenging backdrop, an alarming surge has also been observed in the suicide rates, which has now gone beyond 8%.
Saying that this sudden increase in electricity prices wasn’t quite right, is kind of making it sound less important than it actually is. As citizens grapple with economic uncertainties intensified by the ongoing global turmoil, this unforeseen blow has plunged many into deeper financial dilemmas. It is similar to adding fuel to the fire wherein difficulties are escalated rather than alleviated.
What has confused the ordinary person is the transparency of this decision. The rationale behind this sharp increase in tariffs remains shrouded in ambiguity, leading to justified suspicion and increased self-inflicted deaths among the populace. It’s like attempting to read between the lines of an enigmatic script where the motives are unclear & the consequences are arduous to bear.
Amidst this controversy, citizens are grappling with a bitter pill to swallow. The phrase “adding insult to injury” comes to mind, as the rise in electricity costs appears as an extra burden on the shoulders of already struggling individuals. For a government that vowed to prioritize the well-being of its citizens, this action seems like a mere shift from its stated commitment.
In a nation where every penny counts, the shared protest against this surge is natural. The phrase “robbing Peter to pay Paul” clearly captures the sentiment of local citizens being unfairly burdened to benefit the government. The argument that electricity hike may have been a necessary evil for economic stability falls flat in the face of citizens who find themselves caught in the crossfire of governmental decisions.
As Pakistan sails the rough seas of economic recovery, judicious decision-making is imperative. In this context, the electricity rate hike seems to be a misguided step that could potentially disrupt the nation’s progress. The wise saying “penny wise, pound foolish” serves as a reminder here that prioritizing short-term gains could lead to long-term losses.
Hence to sum up, the recent increase in electricity tariffs in Pakistan has not only made people angry but has also puzzled the people about the government’s commitment to its citizens’ welfare. The lack of judicial clarity in this decision has left many people baffled and dismayed. It’s about time that the government takes another look at this decision, lest the nation finds itself sailing into stormy waters without a guiding light. The government must equally prioritize the provision of mental health resources and support networks to mitigate the grave toll this crisis is exacting on its citizens’ emotional strength.
The writer is a student of BS political science at the University of Sargodha.