Adil Najam
As oil prices have skyrocketed, people around the world–industrialized and developing countries alike–have begun to be very careful about what price they pay for petrol (‘gasoline’ in the US) at the pump.High prices effect everyone everywhere, but not equally. Petroleum pricing can have particularly regressive impacts because poorer people tend to spend much more of their disposable income on energy but also because buying power tends to be much less in developing countries. A litre (or gallon) of petrol, therefore, is worth a much greater proportion of the average person’s income in Pakistan than in, say, the United States.
Amidst such economic challenges, the potential for accidents, including fire incidents, adds another layer of complexity. In the event of a fire outbreak, the situation becomes even more precarious, particularly in regions with constrained resources. Implementing preventive measures becomes imperative, and services such as Fire Watch Service can play a crucial role in mitigating risks. Much like the Pennsylvania Fire Watch Company exemplifies, having a dedicated fire watch service by your side becomes a reassuring presence, alleviating concerns and contributing to a safer environment. Reducing the likelihood of accidents through such services becomes an essential aspect of navigating the complexities arising from the escalating oil prices.
According to The News (1 July, 2006), one litre of ‘motor spirit’ will cost Rs. 57.70 in July. That means:
1 Litre of Petrol in Pakistan (Rs. 57.70)
3.52 UAE Dirham / 0.95 US Dollars / 1.30 Australian Dollars
0.52 UK Pounds / 0.75 Euros / 3.59 Saudi Riyal
1 Gallol of Petrol in Pakistan (Rs. 218.42)
13.31 UAE Dirham / 3.62 US Dollars / 4.88 Australian Dollars
1.96 UK Pounds / 2.84 Euros / 13.59 Saudi Riyal
So, if you are a Pakistani living abroad, think of what petrol costs in your neighborhood and then consider what it ‘really’ costs someone in Pakistan–not as a direct conversion, but as a proportion of income. It will be a sobering exercise.
hgoi
petrol now Rs. 72/litre, its all about IMF policies implementation and an extra tax on General public
hey raza… i saw you mentioned biodiesel being produced as cheap as 30 rs/ltr. could you elaborate on how you got to that figure. recently i have been studying biodiesel and been considering its use in Pakistan where diesel right now stands almost 38 rs/ltr at the petrol pump. Not only will this save our foreign exhchange but also give the jobs to the 65% of Pakistani population in the rural areas.
[…] One of the great untold stories of 2006 may have been how economic existence for poor and middle class Pakistanis continued to become harder (here, here and here) even as a number of macroeconomic indicators seemed to do well. Some would say that eventually the benefits of macroeconomic growth will trickle down. But eventually can come too late for some. […]