A Child’s Note on Policy Failures

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: A small child’s hand places a scribbled note on a table, asking for a mere 1/2 kilo of flour and a bit of cooking oil—barely enough to make dough for a single day.

This haunting image reflects the grim reality faced by millions in Pakistan, where survival is now a daily battle. The note is a heartbreaking symbol of the widespread food insecurity that has gripped the country, forcing families to cut their daily intake to survive.

Today, 65 percent of Pakistan’s population faces acute food shortages, mirroring the same percentage living below the poverty line. The country’s food insecurity crisis has reached alarming levels, a far cry from a few decades ago when, despite financial hardships, people could still manage to survive.

Now, making ends meet in the “Land of the Pure” is becoming nearly impossible, with the cost of living skyrocketing and inflation soaring.

The recent hike in electricity and gas tariffs has driven countless citizens to the streets in protest. Shockingly, electricity bills now surpass the cost of house rent, adding unbearable strain to already stretched household budgets.

The desperation has led to tragic extremes: many families, finding no way out of their crushing financial situations, have resorted to taking their own lives and those of their loved ones. This heartbreaking phenomenon is not just an economic issue but a moral and humanitarian crisis, a result of policies that favor the powerful elite over the needs of the common people.

These elite, who have made backdoor deals that benefit Independent Power Producers (IPPs) — companies often owned by the very same decision-makers — have rigged the system in their favor.

These IPPs are paid “capacity payments” even when they produce no electricity, a policy that drains public resources while providing no relief to the struggling populace.

The tiny hand and the scribbled note asking for flour and oil are, in essence, an indictment of these policymakers. Their negligence has resulted in a multitude of crises, from mental health problems to climate disasters.

The recent floods that have displaced millions have added another dimension to the daily struggle for survival. Pakistanis now face water wars in their villages and towns, leading to violence and death, all while the powerful remain silent or deflect blame.

Countries like Bangladesh have openly accused India of releasing water and causing floods. Pakistan, too, should urgently investigate whether external factors or internal mismanagement contribute to the floods that displace and devastate its citizens. The lack of preparedness and genuine action from those in power only deepens the crisis.

This single, stark image—a child’s note requesting the barest essentials—should jolt every policymaker awake. It is a charge sheet against those who have failed their people. If immediate and meaningful actions are not taken, this crisis will only grow, threatening not just the economy but the very fabric of society.

Asem Mustafa Awan has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.