By By Mansoor Ahmad
A study by The News reveal though prices of daily-use essential items have increased sharply during the past 13 years covering tenures of different regimes, but the increase in the past 19 months of the present government has been devastating for the poor.
It is true that prices were rising when the interim government took over after Shaukat Aziz left, but the present regime had been unable to stop the escalating food prices during its 19 months in office. The prices have gone so high that even if the inflation comes down to zero, it would not be possible for those living in poverty to survive without a substantial increase in their incomes that is not forthcoming. Those sitting at the helm of affairs have no idea about the pain that accompanies poverty. Interaction with the poor reveals that these people suffer physical pain that comes with too little food and long hours of work, emotional pain stemming from daily humiliation of dependency and lack of power, and the moral pain from being forced to make choices such as whether to pay to save the life of an ill family member or to use the money to feed their children.
“We poor people are invisible for others, just as blind people cannot see, they (rich) cannot see us,” said a poor mother who washes dishes and clothes in different houses. “The prices of food items have skyrocketed but my income remains stationary,” she added.
A daily wage worker, who these days find it hard to get some work, says the rich have one permanent job while the poor have many jobs but which do not fill their tummy.
“Poverty is lack of freedom, enslaved by crushing daily burden, by depression and fear of what the future will bring,” said Abid Ali, father of three daughters who have reached the age of marriage. He says from his job as a salesman in a cloth shop he hardly earns enough to provide adequate food for his family. With food and gold prices skyrocketing, he says he cannot even dream of providing food or jewellery in the marriage ceremony of his daughters.
Baba Khairdin, a 70-year old vendor, says for a poor person everything is terrible — illness, humiliation, shame. “We are crippled, we are afraid of everything, we depend on everyone,” he said, adding that he toils in old age despite arthritic pain just to supplement the income of his son. No one needs us.”
Nadeem Ghauri, a graduate and looking for a decent job, says “we are like garbage that everyone wants to get rid of.” It has been found that women are vulnerable to abuse and violence at home, when widowed, and in the workplace. Men, particularly young men, are more likely to be picked up by the police for the crime committed by others.
Data given in the table shows prices of essential items on the day each of the past ruler left the office while in case of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani the rates are current.
Item Benazir Nawaz Musharraf Shaukat Aziz Gilani
Per liter/kg 1996 1999 2002 2007 2008
Atta 6.60 8.00 9.00 18.00 27.25
Sugar 20.00 20.00 23.00 31.00 60.00
Ghee 48.00 45.00 57.00 100.00 110.00
Gram pulse Rs18 24.00 32.00 42.00 48.00
Mutton 110.00 110.00 130.00 260.00 350.00
Petrol Rs18.55 Rs27.00 Rs34.00 Rs53.79. 61.82
Kerosene oil Rs7.26 Rs10.50 Rs19.00 Rs38 62.50
Diesel Rs7.46 Rs10.66 Rs19.00 Rs37.87 64.50
Dollar Rs40.00 Rs51.00 Rs59.50 Rs61.00 83.75
Gold/tola Rs6300 Rs6350 Rs6900 Rs18300 34000