Pakistan and several other countries on Thursday condemned Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) after its forces intercepted the flotilla heading to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver aid. Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla’s latest bid to reach Gaza late last night, the fleet said. Israel has so far intercepted 39 boats with foreign activists on board to Gaza, leaving only one vessel still sailing towards the Palestinian enclave, the flotilla organisers said today. The 45-vessel flotilla, with activists and politicians including Greta Thunberg on board, left Spain last month to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of famine. Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was also on board. Hours after Tel Aviv’s move drew global condemnation, Israeli foreign ministry posted on X that all on board the flotilla were safe would be “deported to Europe”...
The recent death of a woman in Jehanian, Khanewal highlights the tragic consequences of government subsidies in Pakistan. The woman died on her way home after availing a free flour bag from a government distribution center. This incident is not an isolated one, as many people have lost their lives while trying to secure basic commodities provided by the government.
The government has established flour distribution centers in several districts to provide free flour to people during Ramadan. This initiative was taken in response to the skyrocketing inflation rate, which has hit a historic high in Pakistan. The government has been struggling to tackle the rising prices of basic commodities, including flour, sugar, and oil, and has resorted to subsidies to provide some relief to the people.
However, these subsidies have led to unintended consequences. The distribution centers are often overcrowded, with people queuing for hours to get their hands on the free flour bags. The rush to grab the freebies often turns chaotic, leading to stampedes and violence. Many people have been injured, and some have lost their lives in these incidents.
Moreover, the free flour distribution centers have become a hub for corruption and hoarding. The flour bags that are supposed to be distributed among the needy often end up in the hands of black marketers, who sell them at exorbitant prices. This has led to a shortage of flour in the market, further exacerbating the inflation problem.
The government’s subsidies also have long-term implications for the economy. They put a strain on the national exchequer, which has to bear the cost of these subsidies. This puts a burden on the taxpayers, who ultimately have to pay for the government’s populist policies. Moreover, subsidies distort market prices, leading to inefficiencies and discouraging investment in the affected sectors.
It is high time that the government rethinks its subsidy policies and comes up with more sustainable solutions to tackle the inflation problem. Instead of providing freebies, the government should focus on increasing productivity, promoting competition, and improving the investment climate. It should also invest in social safety nets that provide targeted assistance to the most vulnerable segments of society.
In conclusion, the tragic death of a woman in Jehanian, Khanewal highlights the high cost of free flour and the unintended consequences of government subsidies in Pakistan. The government needs to address the root causes of inflation and adopt more sustainable policies to provide relief to the people. Otherwise, we will continue to witness such tragic incidents, and the economy will suffer in the long run.
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