Rawalpindi:The non-establishment of Ramazan Sasta Bazaars and distribution of subsidised rations only among the beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has cast a double blow to the budgets of middle-class families who are forced to buy rations without any monetary relief.
The situation has gone to such an extent that members of middle-class families are even ready to seek fitrana from affluent families to run their kitchens this Ramazan.
As per census 2023 data the total population of Punjab is 127,688,922 and the BISP beneficiaries as per the data portal of BISP in Punjab alone is 4,141,625, so the ration scheme is only aimed for a handful of people so where will the other people go?
The relief provided under BISP at Utility Stores Corporation outlets is only limited to 10 per cent of population while the rest of the 90 per cent of people have been forced to buy a 20-kilogram atta bag at Rs2850 to Rs3000, rice at Rs425 per kilogram, ghee at Rs490 per kilogram, sugar at Rs155 per kilogram and basin at Rs330 per kilogram.
Talking to 'The News' on Friday, a number of people from Rawalpindi and Islamabad said that government was continuously pouring down the financial burden on the public without any interval. Muhammad Imran, hailing from a middle-class family said that he was trying to get 'Fitrana' to purchase kitchen items. "Me and my wife have visited different areas to get 'Fitrana' or 'Financial Help' because we can't live here with respect, he said. We are facing only crisis but the present government not doing anything except sweet talks and illusive press conferences," he strongly protested.
Sharqa Nawaz, a housewife said that she went to Ration Point where the Punjab government was distributing free of cost ration but she was not on merit to enjoy this ration. The concerned management told me that she was not able to get this ration because she was not registered with BISP, she said. She said, "We are rich people in government papers. But the economic crisis has broken our back. Government should amend its criteria of BISP registration which is quite flawed and has excluded many deserving families from any relief," she denounced.
Sidra Haroon, another lady said, "We have neither been able to get ration free of cost nor 'Fitrana' so we are wondering how we could survive in this country. The federal and provincial governments did not provide us with any relief even a single penny. There is a photo session drama where only 5 per cent of people are enjoying while others are not."
Muhammad Siraj, a poor man said that the government completely failed to provide them relief. All eatable items are being sold at skyrocketing prices as per routine but nobody is taking any action against it," he said.
Rashid Mehmood, another citizen said that the Punjab government left the people of Rawalpindi in the lurch because nobody cared for them. "Maryam Nawaz is the Chief Minister of the whole Punjab province rather only of Lahore city. She was only focusing on Lahore city therefore locals of other cities particularly Rawalpindi are in the clutch of corrupt government officers who are dealing with all issues as per routine, he bemoaned.