This year’s Eidul Fitr has proven to be one of the most challenging in decades as crippling inflation threatens to pull the middle class under, and the poor are left even deeper in poverty due to skyrocketing prices. Despite the joyous occasion, families struggle to enjoy the festivities as they attempt to stay afloat in Pakistan’s dire economic situation.
There are countless reasons for our current predicament. However, one of the most significant culprits is the constant fighting amongst our elite – the politicians, establishment, and other state institutions. While they indulge in Byzantine intrigues, the people of Pakistan struggle to make ends meet. Decades of financial mismanagement have only led us to this dire state, yet the elite remain indifferent to the suffering of the common man.
Meanwhile, those who lack food face life-threatening situations as they risk their safety for a mere bag of flour. Additionally, uncontrollable global economic downturns and countless wars both near and far exacerbate the situation as never before.
Tens of thousands have lost their jobs, with some estimates claiming millions of layoffs. Factories are closing, and assembly lines are grinding to a halt. The poor and “new poor” struggle to secure two meals a day, and the price of staples such as flour, rice, cooking oil, and fuel has surged beyond affordable limits.
It’s difficult to escape the truth that our leaders are disconnected from the harsh reality of everyday life. While politicians bicker, the people suffer the consequences. The recent budget proves this, with insufficient relief measures for the poor and nothing in place to address the growing inflation crisis. As a result, the country’s common man bears the brunt of the current economic disaster.
In contrast, the elite class enjoys a luxurious lifestyle without a second thought for the rest of the population. The pandemic has further exposed this disparity, as those in power continue to flout health and safety regulations with little consequence, while the common man struggles to make ends meet.
It’s a tale as old as time; the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. The government needs to step up and take responsibility for the state of the economy. Instead of playing the blame game, they should be working towards providing relief for the suffering masses. It’s not enough to merely lament the current state of affairs, action needs to be taken to bring about positive change.
One solution is to prioritize the people over the interests of the elite. This includes increasing taxes on the wealthy to provide much-needed aid for the poor. It’s time to recognize that a stable economy benefits everyone, and it’s time to invest in the country’s future.
As Pakistan celebrates Eid amidst a raging economic storm, the mood is somber and cutting back on critical expenses is the norm. People are even compromising on education and healthcare, a sign of the dire straits that the country is in. It’s a far cry from the joyous celebrations that the festival usually brings.
Although, there is a glimmer of hope in the Muslim world, as Saudi Arabia and Iran have decided to bury the hatchet and work towards ending the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts. This is a ray of hope for the war-scarred people of these countries who have endured unimaginable hardship for years.
In Pakistan, the situation remains bleak, with record-breaking inflation hitting the middle class hard, while the poor have been pushed deeper into poverty. The country’s perpetually warring elite, including politicians and state institutions, bear much of the blame. While the people struggle to put food on the table, the elite indulge in Byzantine intrigues, seemingly oblivious to the suffering of the common man.
The economic situation has been aggravated by factors beyond Pakistan’s control, including the global economic downturn and several wars being waged in the region. Tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs, with layoffs estimated to be in the millions. Breadlines have grown longer, as the poor and the “new poor” struggle to secure even two square meals a day. The prices of staples such as flour, rice, cooking oil, and fuel have skyrocketed, decimating domestic budgets.
Amidst all this gloom, there is a need for Pakistan’s resilient people to counter the all-pervading hopelessness. They have survived major disasters in the past, such as the break-up of the country, and with perseverance and hard work, they can overcome their formidable obstacles.
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However, this can only happen if the rulers choose to mend their ways and focus on the people’s needs. There is a pressing need to create a democratic welfare state that can stand on its own feet. These are difficult goals for the country’s selfish elite, but the sincere hope is that by the next Eid, Pakistan will be on the road to recovery.
It’s not just the ruling elite that needs to change their ways; the people of Pakistan also need to take responsibility for their own actions. The rampant corruption and lack of accountability have only exacerbated the country’s problems. To turn things around, the people need to start demanding better from their leaders and holding them accountable for their actions.
Pakistan has the potential to be a thriving and prosperous nation, but it will take a concerted effort from all its citizens to achieve this. It’s time for everyone to come together and work towards a better future for themselves and future generations.
As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining.” While Pakistan may be going through tough times, the flicker of hope in the Muslim world should serve as a reminder that things can change for the better. It’s up to us to make it happen.
In conclusion, this Eidul Fitr brings with it a sense of despair for many households in Pakistan, as record-breaking inflation threatens to take the middle class under, and the poor are pushed deeper into poverty by high prices. The country’s dire economic situation has snatched even the small joys of Eid from the people who struggle to stay afloat.
Pakistan’s warring elite, including politicians, establishment, and other state institutions, share much of the blame for the financial mismanagement that brought the country to this pass. Their Byzantine intrigues have left the common man suffering, while they remain oblivious to their plight.
The global economic downturn, coupled with several hot and cold wars being waged near and far, has aggravated the situation, leaving tens of thousands without jobs and breadlines growing as the poor and ‘new poor’ struggle to secure two square meals a day. The prices of staples have gone through the roof, decimating domestic budgets.
While there seems to be a flicker of hope in the Muslim world with Saudi Arabia and Iran mending fences and impacting the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts, Pakistan’s resilient people need to counter the all-pervading hopelessness and gloom.
With perseverance and hard work, the nation can overcome its formidable obstacles, but the rulers need to mend their ways, focus on the people’s needs, and work to create a democratic welfare state that can stand on its own feet. These are admittedly difficult goals for the selfish elite, but the sincere hope is that by the next Eid, Pakistan will be on the road to recovery.
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