A state of emergency was declared in Pakistan on 3rd November 2007 resulting in total suspension of the constitution. Hundreds of anti-government activists, lawyers and leaders of the opposition parties are being clapped up in jails and all private news channels in the country are being barred from airing. Not only is this having adverse effects on the political, judicial and media sectors of Pakistan, it is also harming the economy. Already, as an aftermath of the declaration of emergency, prices of basic commodities like wheat(staple food) and ghee(oil) have shot up and further inflation is being predicted by business men and economists.
“Whenever emergencies are imposed in the country, it results in price hike, uncertainty prevails and illegal trade flourishes,” Farooq Azam Khawaja, an eminent importer is quoted to have said.
The emergency is also predicted to cause a rise in price of imports and adversely affect export industry while deterring foreign investment inflow in to the country. This is precisely what the country doesn’t need right now; an economical slowdown on top of its chaotic political troubles.
Tangents wonder:
- To what extent is Musharraf willing to go to retain power?
- To what extent will the people of Pakistan put up with Musharraf's high-handedness?
- And perhaps most importantly, to what extent will America continue to support Musharraf in view of him being 'their man' and keeping an eye on the country's nukes?
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pic from flickr again with some rights reserved(attribution etc)
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