As usual, the ruling elite will not share the difficulties rendered to the poor man through this budget.
ISLAMABAD: The budget for 2014-15 has been announced. As usual, there is nothing in it for the poor people of Pakistan, save for empty words, convoluted digits and confusing statistics. The people of Pakistan are already bearing the brunt of the country’s deepening economic crisis and the announced budget seems to promise little appeal.
Just after the announcement of the annual budget, I visited various markets in the Federal Capital Islamabad, particularly the Karachi Company, Peshawar Morr, F-10 Markaz, Fatah Market in G-9/3 sector and discovered that the prices for fuel and food items had already risen. The prices of each and every edible item seemed to have doubled. In the light of this mad increase in prices, the promised increase in salaries would be of no help.
I notice that many people in my home province of Sindh are selling household items and even parts of their houses, such as doors and windows, to pay for food. Children are forced to leave school and find work to help their families survive. Many families are entirely dependent on remittances from relatives working overseas. How has the budget served them?
As usual, the ruling elite will not share the difficulties rendered to the poor man through this budget. Indeed, this budget has brought in fresh challenges for the poor people of Pakistan. Hence, many thanks, Mr Finance Minister, for offering nothing to the people of Pakistan.
Hahsim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
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