THE present conditions of the country may be characterized as out of control'. This applies especially to prices of commodities (necessities of daily life) and services (doctors' fees, charges of beauticians and building contractors).Prices have doubled and tripled in some cases during the last four months (price spiral took place one month before the election). What has happened during the last four months? Everybody says that it is due to the rise in petroleum prices. But we are not paying double or triple amount at the petrol pump. It is really an excuse that everybody is using to make more profit from the uncontrolled situation in the country. There is nobody to stop them. It seems as if a bunch of nave is running the government. None of them seem to have the experience or the knowledge of how to control the market. They have left it to fate to let the market forces (supply and demand) remain in imbalance, leaving it to some very corrupt people involved in making money for themselves .They are creating artificial shortages of most commodities and the government has not been able to pinpoint them. We often read statements from various ministers that they will soon do something but very little has been done .Market forces cannot be stable with such a corrupt environment. As against the rise in prices in daily necessities, the salaries of the common working people have increased nominally. The cold attitude of doing nothing' cannot last longer. The government must take charge and control the rising prices. All commodity dealers and service providers should be asked to roll back the increases in prices to what were four months ago.
We cannot trust the market forces or the conscience of the businessmen in Pakistan to consider the plight of working men. Trade in commodities may be suspended for a while (following India's example) to control prices. The government has to be tough with hoarders and profiteers now before it gets too late for the working men who are being punished for no fault of theirs.