In the last 28 years, this is the first time that there has been no increase in the pay of government employees.
ISLAMABAD: The first budget of the new government was presented this past week by the new finance minister. In his budget speech, Ishaq Dar said that there would be an increase in the price of 85 items of daily use including electricity, sugar, edible oil, cement, soft drinks, books, pens and even sewing machines. All these are used by the poorer section of society and an increase in their prices will tend to disproportionately affect them more.
In the last 28 years, this is the first time that there has been no increase in the pay of government employees. People in general do not have interest in the detail of the budget figures and they are only interested in what relief they get from the budget — and sadly this time it was sorely lacking.
Capt (retd) Wasif Syed
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2013.
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