IT was on the previous Friday (March 6) that the government raised petrol prices. And while the news about the price hike began doing the rounds shortly before it was announced, the amount took everyone by surprise – over Rs50 per litre. It is said to be our biggest hike in petrol prices in a single day — and it left citizens spitting fire. For most people struggling with inflation and weakened purchasing power, it was a cruel blow, regardless of the limited options in front of the government.

The government was aware of the impact of the decision and yet it took Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif another three days to address the people. The decision on Friday was announced by three cabinet members and it was Monday night before Prime Minister House released a recorded speech of the PM explaining the hike. The urgency of the matter demanded a shorter response time from the executive; the PM should have responded more quickly.

Leaving aside how convincing the speech was, the entire episode once again underlined the struggle of the PML-N to communicate with the people. This has less to do with the PM’s speaking ability and more with the party’s approach to communication. It’s a party which has always fo­­und it difficult to communicate directly with the people, unlike the PPP and PTI that as populist parties have thrived on charismatic speakers.

The party is also suffering because it is a house divided. In such times of crises, other parties would bring forward their most popular........

© Dawn