Day Of Introspection

The News International, Islamabad
http://www.jang-group.com/thenews/index.html
February 02, 2004

The sermon delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh on the occasion of Haj declaring that "Islam has forbidden violence in all its forms; it has forbidden hijacking aircraft, ships and other transport and has forbidden all acts that would undermine security" carries a special message for the Muslim world at a time when it faces a multi-faceted challenge. The incident of 9/11 has dramatically affected the international situation, unfairly holding Islam and the Muslims responsible for the problems of the western world. This needs to be corrected as neither does Islam allow what it is accused of nor are Muslims terrorists. The Grand Mufti’s sermon that Islam does not condone violence and terror should be appreciated by both the Muslims and non-Muslims.

Eidul Azha that marks the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) in the way of Allah is being commemorated throughout the Islamic world today and calls for a moment of introspection. It teaches us the spirit of sacrifice and obedience, a sense of forbearance and steadfastness. We need to adhere to these values to face the challenges that the Muslims face from without and within. While the threat from outside needs to be countered by the entire Ummah, the threat from within must be fought individually. The Islamic community needs to jointly contest the dangers to it by presenting itself as a nation that sincerely adheres to peace but is ready to stand up to any threat. All misconceptions about practising terror should be removed by act and declaration.

Individually we need to replicate the example of the spirit of sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to learn the values that it teaches us. This is specially important for us as there is much in our society that has brought considerable odium upon us. Violence, corruption and greed constitute three of the worst evils that affect our society. The Grand Mufti’s stress on eschewing violence as it was un-Islamic is particularly important at a time when the nation is torn by all manner of violence. Innocent people are needlessly being killed for reasons that make no sense. That Islam does not permit violence rarely impacts on persons whose values are twisted by hate.

At the same time there is also need to overcome the stigma that the country has received for being most corrupt. The allegation is not entirely unfounded as greed which begets corruption is high. Even in the weeks before the two Eids, the market witnesses a dramatic rise in prices of essential items which ironically are not in short supply. It is only the expected demand that provides an excuse to raise the prices. Sadly this phenomenon occurs when Muslims are taught to be specially charitable and helpful. The act of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is specially relevant as it teaches us the value of being more kind-hearted.

Review and relief

The Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) announced on Saturday the revision of prices of petroleum and its products with small relief on those of petrol and high octane. However, the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel have been increased. Seen against the backdrop of successive increases in the prices of POL products, the latest reduction in the prices of petrol and high octane by 15 paisa per litre looks modest. The increase in case of kerosene oil is 33 paisa per litre and for light diesel, it is 67 paisa per litre. Ever since their deregulation, the prices of POL products are reviewed every fortnight in sync with the behaviour of world oil prices but as they have a wide-ranging impact on the economy as well as the consumer items, even a slight readjustment in their prices becomes noticeable.

A strong plea has been often made by the end users of these products that in view of its much improved financial situation, the government should consider reducing the petroleum surcharge which will provide substantial relief to the consumers. During the current financial year, the government has estimated to get Rs 46 billion under this head but with debt-servicing liability having been brought down from 64 percent of the budget to 36 percent, the new found fiscal space can be used for this purpose. It had also bee argued that the prices of POL products should be reviewed on a longer time-frame basis so that the domestic market could find greater stability. A quarterly price review appears as the most widely shared opinion.

It is an established fact that relief in the prices of POL products will result in lowering the cost of energy inputs for the economy. Transportation costs will also be reduced as a result of it. In the ultimate analysis, the benefit will go to the cosumers. The whole issue of fixing the prices of POL products on fortnightly basis needs to be viewed in its larger perspective. The domestic prices of these products have to be seen in the light of their international trend as well as the incidence of surcharge on them. Together, they have made these items quite expensive. As the increases in POL products have been quite frequent and, at times, quite heavy in the past, the aforementioned suggestions merit early consideration. The pricing policy of POL products should be so reviewed that it benefits all the sectors of the economy as well as the consumers.