Fuel price and kidnapped chocolates - this week in Pakistan’s business and economics twitterverse

One thing that would have been unexpected a few months ago would have been that the same week a Rs 30 hike in petrol prices was announced, the greatest outrage for the people of Twitteristan would have been chocolates held back by customs. But that was the case last week, when people were in fact relieved that fuel prices were increased and that the country was not hurtling towards default as it was up until recently. Let us hope this little episode allows people to no longer politicize petrol prices which are a result of international market dynamics that we do not have much to do with. Fingers crossed. All this and more in this week’s social media roundup. 

 

https://twitter.com/ShaziaAttaMarri/status/1530107842581102593

If you think increasing fuel prices was a difficult decision, deciding how to help the income segment most impacted by the 20% rise in fuel prices. The government needs to act fast before inflation hits and purchasing power is wiped out. 

 

https://twitter.com/AzamAKhan2/status/1529880957406302210

Commodity price hikes are not bombs especially when they're not out of choice. Fuel prices shouldn't even be up for debate. They should be deregulated. There should also be public transport so that people aren't impacted severely when prices rise.

 

https://twitter.com/rogueonomist/status/1529108507454328833

If you're annoyed your khaipiya was held back at customs, just know he was held back for smuggling. But yeah, bans create grey economies. In a country where the informal economy is roughly as big as the documented one, why create more distortions?

 

https://twitter.com/gonwei/status/1528966643535192064

Do you need anymore reasons to understand why banistan isn't the right state of mind to be in. 

 

https://twitter.com/Huk06/status/1530154126675431424

Digital safety is as important as physical safety in today's day in age. The existing government officials and former officials need to ensure they are safe online.

 

https://twitter.com/regionomics/status/1530319431624183809

Can we stop with the crowdsourcing? Wake up everyone.

 

https://twitter.com/gulraizkhan/status/1529871016578666496

Repetitive but let's bomb the term petrol bomb.