Although the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his Minister of Planning and Minister Finance are chanting that all is well but the reality is being seen on the road. At the movement the nation is so mentally distracted that it would believe anything from which there is an element of opposition or abuse for the government which needs to be addressed.
On these circumstances one of the main political party of the country Jamaat-e-Islami has started a sit-in in Islamabad today in the context of making electricity cheaper and it has been decided to extend it if the demands are not met. The interesting thing is that the workers of other political parties are also supporting this announcement of Jamaat-e-Islami which shows how much anxiety is found in this regard in the country.
Demonstrations against power strikes have started in various cities. Yesterday, with small demonstrations in Peshawar, the salaried class protested against electricity in the country’s largest city Karachi a group of employees suddenly came out on the streets at 5:30 pm after office hours, the group chose the evening time for the protest because of extreme heat.
The protestors said now they are protesting in small gatherings but it would be prolonged. The protests that started in the federal and provincial capitals is now even more evident that rising inflation, increase in power rates, load shedding and taxes are harming the masses. All these increases have become a part of life as Pakistan has shifted from one program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to another, with the agreement on staff levels for the three-year program many believe that any kind of assistance is still some time away .In all those demonstrations the speakers said “We are appealing to the government.” That they listen to our demands but if they are not implemented then protest can take the form of a complete movement.
The waged and middle class says that due to inflation and high taxes even salaried people are unable to provide quality education to their children. About 60 to 70 percent of our salaries are spent on taxes and utilities. they said that how can one improve his lifestyle besides provide quality education to their children when the government does not give anything in return in terms of road infrastructure, education, security or health care.
Remember that the federal government has increased taxes on salaries over the years and their share has increased only seven percent in 11 years. This increase has been particularly high in last four years. In the Finance Bill 2024, the government has increased the tax burden on all categories with income above Rs 50,000. The government says it wants to collect an additional Rs 70 billion in tax from this group. Though the government has not touched the income tax exemption limit, which is still Rs 50,000, the liability has increased at all other levels of salaries. For example, a person earning Rs .1 million per month will now have to pay Rs 2,500 per month, which represents a 100% increase from the earlier level of Rs 1,250 but 10 percent surcharge has also been imposed.
In these circumstances, while the ruling party is failing to bring any satisfactory package for the people, the pressure has increased on the political parties for public protests. There is a natural possibility that the Jamaat-e-Islami will be join by other parties. If this happens then there is a possibility of opening a new front for the government because the heavy electricity bills and inflation are bothering all the citizens. Accordingly the people would be ready to say yes on the voice of any party that raises its opinion against it.
Now it is essential that the government does not take lightly these small protests because the majority of the people have become helpless due to these conditions individuals can come out anytime on Showdown.
