pakistan

Bread or bill – millions battle the hard choice

Published

9 months ago

August 8, 2023

admin

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.

Post Views: 66

Up Next

IHC removes objections to PTI chief’s plea for transfer from Attock Jail

Don't Miss

Rashid taunts Bilawal for talking of Charter of Democracy 48 hours before going home

Click to comment

pakistan

KP CM Gandapur’s interim bail extended till May 28 in arson attack case

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2024

admin

KP CM Gandapur's interim bail extended till May 28 in arson attack case

A district and sessions court of Rawalpindi on Saturday extended the interim bail of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur till May 28.

The additional district and sessions judge conducted hearing of interim bail plea for Ali Amin Gandapur in a case of arson and meddling government affairs. Advocate Muhammad Faisal Malik appeared on behalf of the KP chief minister.

During the hearing, a request was submitted by KP CM Gandapur for exemption from attending court proceedings which was accepted by the court.

Gandapur had made the request due to his official engagement in government affairs. Later, the additional district and sessions judge extended the interim bail of CM Gandapur till May 28.

It should be remembered that a case was registered against Gandapur in Nasirabad police station.

Post Views: 6

pakistan

CM Maryam directs measures for land record digitalisation

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2024

admin

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued directives to implement concrete measures for the digitalization of land records across the province.

Presided over a crucial session focused on Board of Revenue reforms, CM Nawaz received a comprehensive briefing on the Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement (PULSE) project.

During the session, officials from the Punjab Land Record Authority and Management of State Land provided insights into the project’s business plan and execution strategies.

The digitalization of land records under the PULSE project is being undertaken with the support of the World Bank.

This ambitious initiative aims to digitize all land records in Punjab on an owner-based system, marking a significant step towards transparency and efficiency in revenue management.

Key highlights from the briefing include the categorization of land properties into clear, and disputed categories, denoted by green, yellow, and red respectively.

Each buyer will be assigned a unique property number, streamlining legal processes and reducing complications associated with property transactions.

The implementation of a transparent partition of land and parcel document system will enhance the transparency and fairness of revenue management.

The digitalization process will also simplify the Record of Rights (Fard) and property transfer system, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for citizens.

In a move to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, the government plans to introduce services such as overseas property transfer, mutation, registration, and e-survey.

CM Maryam Nawaz has underscored the importance of swift action and collaboration among relevant departments to expedite the digitalization of land records.

Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari, MPA Sania Ashiq, chief secretary, P&D chairman, SMU head and other officials attended the session.

Post Views: 5

pakistan

PM directs envoy to extend all possible help to Pakistani students

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2024

admin

PM directs envoy to extend all possible help to Pakistani students

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek to provide all possible help to Pakistani students.

Prime Minister Sharif contacted the Pakistani Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hassan Ali Zaigham by telephone and directed to provide all kind of support and assistance to the Pakistani students. He also ordered the Pakistani ambassador to visit the hostels and meet the students.

On this occasion, the Pakistani ambassador informed the prime minister about the current situation in Bishkek and said no Pakistani was killed in the incident.

He said the embassy was assisting the wounded students. The prime minister emphasised to keep in constant touch with the parents of the students and provide them timely information.

PM Sharif directed that all kinds of medical facilities should be provided to the injured students, and arrangements should be made for immediate return of the injured students who were willing to return to Pakistan.

Government of Pakistan will bear the cost of return of students. The prime minister said he was personally monitoring the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

“We will not leave our students alone in this situation. Our government is also in touch with the government of Kyrgyzstan,” said the prime minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the attacks on students from Pakistan and other countries in Kyrgyzstan. He directed the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek to provide all possible help to the Pakistani students.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the Pakistani Embassy had provided emergency numbers and was continuously monitoring the situation.

Post Views: 4