pakistan

Bread or bill – millions battle the hard choice

Published

9 months ago

August 8, 2023

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Bread or bill – millions battle the hard choice

Nisar Ali, a private security guard, is grappling with the challenge of paying his electricity bill as his monthly salary is a meagre Rs28,000 and he has to pay Rs35,000 bill for July.

The latest power bill proves nothing short of a ‘shock’ for him and countless other people with limited financial resources. How can a person battling wanton inflation pay a bill which is more than his total earning, is a question being asked in every nook and cranny of the country these days.

Complaints of inflated bills after the recent increase in power tariff “on the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)” are rife.

“We would be afraid of lightning or elemental fury (meaning any unforeseen happening) but now everyone seems scared of electricity shock,” Ali sarcastically vents out his frustration.

He can’t recall the units his household consumed in the month but he is worried about the amount of bill he has to pay.

“I have no option but to borrow money to clear my utility bill and avoid disconnection. But then how will I feed my family this month after paying such an excessive amount of power bill?” he questions.

Dunya News spoke to several people about this month’s utility bills, especially electricity one, and most of them have the common response: “Any complaint or catharsis is meaningless as they will neither stir the rulers nor bring any sort of relief for them.”

Kubra Bibi, a housewife, says instead of controlling the expenses of state-run institutions, the government passes the entire financial burden on the masses. “This is sheer injustice”.

“My children are not going to attend tuition classes due to financial constraints… now the electricity bill has added fuel to the fire,” she says, her words echoing the sentiments of many.

As for the amount of bill she is supposed to pay, all she wants to tell is: “I have to pay beyond my capacity.”

Akram Ali, a resident of Hanjarwal, says: “Gone are the days when people would stir the conscience of the powers that be by staging protest demonstrations. Now all energies are channelised to eke out a living and no one affords taking to the street to highlight any issue,” says Ali.

He says the rulers come into power with a promise to improve the economy and living standards of the public but to no avail.

Dera Gujjran’s Baba Miraj also deplores apathy of leaders and demands that the government must abolish all cruel taxes in electricity bills to provide relief to the masses.

Naila Bibi told Dunya News that being a domestic worker she could hardly earn Rs15,000 a month – an amount insufficient to even feed four children, aged three to 12 years. An inflated power bill, she said, was a bolt from the blue for her.

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pakistan

Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

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Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf has raised concerns about the potential conditions of the new IMF bailout package for Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the PPP Central Punjab President suggested that the government should brief parliament on the IMF package, with the finance minister providing lawmakers with details on new taxes and approved austerity measures during an in-camera session.

Ashraf underscored that instead of privatising Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other vital institutions, state-owned enterprises should be managed through public-private partnerships.

The former PM strongly opposed the idea of imposing taxes on pensioners, deeming it unacceptable. He urged the Finance Ministry to seek an alternative solution.

Raja Parvez Ashraf also highlighted the potential for enhanced harmony between the Centre and the provinces through the full implementation of the 18th Amendment.

He also proposed the abolition of unnecessary ministries to alleviate the financial burden on the federation.

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pakistan

Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

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Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Pakistan addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday, asserting that India was targeting Indian Muslims, Christians and Muslims in occupied Kashmir, and urged an end to their harsh suppression.

Ambassador Munir Akram stated during a debate on ‘Culture of Peace’ that since the BJP-RSS government took office in 2014, hate, oppression and violence against India’s 200 million Muslims, as well as other minorities like Christians and the ‘lower-caste’ Dalits, became rampant and systematic, driven by the ideology of Hindutva.

The envoy emphasised that unless Hindutva fascism was opposed and the impunity of the BJP-RSS ended, wider violence and conflict in South Asia would remain a real and present danger.

Despite efforts to promote a “Culture of Peace,” Akram noted a rise in hate, violence and war worldwide, with over 300 conflicts raging across the globe.

Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to combat Islamophobia, Akram expressed deep concern at the officially sanctioned manifestations of Islamophobia in India, citing the Citizenship Law and National Registry list designed to exclude Muslims from citizenship.

The envoy warned of the spread of Hindutva extremism, which he said turbo-charged repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He called for urgent resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Akram also highlighted India’s belligerence towards Pakistan, citing threats from Indian officials to “take over” Azad Kashmir and dangerous military doctrines adopted by India.

He accused India of financing and sponsoring terrorist groups to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and highlighted Pakistan’s concerns over India’s campaign of targeted assassinations, even beyond its borders.

Akram emphasised the urgent need for the international community to address these issues and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

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pakistan

NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2024

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NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

he National Assembly Secretariat has accepted the inclusion of independent members (PTI-backed MNAs) in the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Dunya News reported.

The National Assembly Secretariat has released a list of 83 members of Sunni Ittehad Council on its official website after the approval of NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

After the inclusion of independent members, Sunni Ittehad Council has become second largest party in the lower house of the parliament with 83 members.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had sent a notification regarding the inclusion of independent members in the SIC to the National Assembly Secretariat.

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