Same Bag, Two Prices

Pakistan In Picture 

Asem Mustafa Awan: The increase in relief from three to four bags of flour by the government is announced but, at the same time, the price is also increased from Rs 650 to Rs 1158 for a 10 kilogram bag. This is bewildering for an average citizen. It seems more of a joke than reality but the reality it is.

The month of Ramazan is but a few days away. The relief which otherwise should be welcomed is being received with heavy hearts with almost double of the price per 10kg. This seems to many a double-edged relief.

It is also obvious that the long lines of men, women and children for receiving a bag of flour which have also costed the lives of many, will not cease as the flour crisis are likely to remain with us for sometime.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan, an agrarian country, is experiencing a flour crisis. Does it beg the quest where does the yield of the country goes?

It is acknowledged that the recent floods accounted for the heavy loss of crops and stocks in the absence of significant efforts . These failures are difficult to understand and explain. The motives for this gigantic waste are best known to the keepers.

The relief for the poor is believed to be for those enrolled on the Benazir Income Support Programme. Who and how people were enrolled and how many these are actually deserving is another debate.

The fuel relief also needs further elaboration as to how it will work l. Would an average citizen be able be obtain a liter or more of fuel on a subsidised rate and what mechanisms are being put in place to facilitate this?

These and other so many questions need answers and explanations. The relief that is being announced needs carefully to be thought through.

The tales of corruption are rife in these relief schemes and only time will tell whether any of these are justified.

These two photos show two prices of Rs 650 and Rs 1158 for a bag of flour tell a powerful tale of that which is transpiring between the lines . The rest i leave it to a reader to draw his/ her conclusions regarding what may or may not been happening in this somewhat murky reality?

The writer is a .journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.