Authorities must have mercy on 55 million people which is 29.9% of the total population living below poverty line
JOHI: In February, the government of Pakistan had decided to export 500,000 tons of wheat on subsidised rates to Afghanistan due to its surplus in the previous few years. Pakistan is the world’s 8th largest wheat producing country but it has never ever been listed amongst the top exporters.
In this month the price of wheat sky rocketed and the crises affected the entire country which caused disappointment among denizens and administration alike. In order to control the price hike, prime minister of Pakistan has ordered to form various committees at the district, provincial and federal level. Apart from this, various check posts have been established at borders of provinces to control the movement within the country. Moreover, it has also been decided that Pakistan is to import 300,000 tons of wheat from Ukraine.
Now the question arises: where was the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) at that time? The decision of exporting on subsidised rate was taken on recommendation of both the concerned departments if they reported its surplus where it is right now? Why is Pakistan importing if it is in a surplus? Or is this a game of monopoly that is being played with the people in the name of paucity? Authorities concerned must have mercy on 55 million people which is 29.9% of the total population living below poverty line in the country and its responsibility of state to provide subsidy on edible items.
Fahad Rind
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2020.
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