THE impact of rising petrol prices on our personal lives can be gauged from an announcement by Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javed. Dr Sahib is deeply devoted to literature and has made countless contributions to Urdu and Punjabi literature. During the past fifty-five years, many events have shaken Pakistan. He must have been disturbed by some of them, but never subscribed to a newspaper for current affairs. That tradition has now been broken: he has subscribed to one to know how much petrol prices will rise each morning. The people of Pakistan share Dr Sahib’s anxiety. It is also the reason behind Jamaat-e-Islami’s protests and sit-ins.

Pakistan is extremely busy these days. Some preoccupations are successes, others worries and pain. Among the successes is the extraordinary Makkah Pact. Respected Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami has described it as the voice of the Muslim Ummah’s heart. He is right. It fulfils an aspiration that remained unfulfilled for 107 years, eight months and 27 days. Muslim weakness began with the First World War, followed by more than a century of difficulties. Now Makkah has emerged as a political centre for Muslims, and Muslim countries are beginning to unite to safeguard the Holy Sanctuary. Pakistan’s contribution has been exceptional. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir........

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