Increase in Gas prices will further contribute to a deteriorating economy
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has proposed to the Pakistani Federal Government to increase the price of Gas by an average 46 percent. The regulator has determined up to 186pc increase in gas rates for the poorest categories of domestic and commercial consumers, while the prescribed rates for other categories – industrial, cement, CNG, power and commercial sectors – have been jacked up by 27 to 31pc. The increase in prescribed prices is reasoned on estimated revenue requirements of the two utilities for the fiscal year 2018-19 and is worked out keeping in mind various projects under implementation and other expenditures.
Hizb ut Tahrir / Wilayah Pakistan strongly oppose the increase in the price of gas and reject it completely. At a time when domestic consumers are burdened by inflation because of devaluation of the Rupee and the industrial and agriculture sectors are already complaining that high cost of input material has affected the capability of their products to compete with the products of foreign countries, increase in gas price will further create difficulties for the local economy. Every successive government in Pakistan whether political or military always increased the price of gas and electricity by citing capitalist economic reasons. And there is no doubt whoever comes in power after 2018 election, he will also continue this tradition as political parties are advocates of democracy and have no system at all other than capitalism.
Muslims of Pakistan and its economy needs the system of Khilafah which will declare gas as public property because of the command of Islam. RasulAllah ﷺ said, «الْمُسْلِمُونَ شُرَكَاءُ فِي ثَلَاثٍ الْمَاءِ وَالْكَلَإِ وَالنَّارِ» “The Muslims are partners in three things, waters, feeding pastures and fire.” (Ahmad). The term ‘fire’ here includes all forms of energy used as fuel in industry, machines and plants, as well as the plants which use gas as fuel or coal. Therefore Islam has declared gas as public property and made it obligatory on state to manage its affairs on behalf of the people and provide its benefits to the people. So, the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the method of Prophethood will provide gas to domestic, commercial, industrial and agriculture consumers at a price which will not be a burden on them rather will help turn the wheel of economy faster and reduce the cost of produced items making them more competitive. But this will only happen when democracy is abolished and the system of Khilafah is established. Today establishment of Khilafah is not only an Islamic duty and obligation rather it is necessary to save the economy from disaster and put it back on the path of progress once again. And certainly our wellbeing is guaranteed in following the commands of Allah (swt) and His Messenger ﷺ.
إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذَا دُعُوۤاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَن يَقُولُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
“The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His Words, the Qur’an) and His Messenger to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the prosperous ones.“ [An-Nur: 51]
Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Pakistan
Monday, 11th Shawwal 1439 AH
25/06/2018 CE
No: PR18042