THIS is with reference to the report `Stampede during food distribution claims 12 lives in Karachi` (April 1).
The heart-wrenching episode is a testimony to the level at which the current inflation has affected lives. The episode is an effective indicator that the number of starving in the country has surpassed the number of philanthropists, making it severely constrained for the welfare organisations to carry outtheir philanthropist campaigns, especially during the holy month of Ramazan.
By the looks of it, things will further exacerbate in the days ahead as the inflation rate has been increasing unabatedly. As per the data released by the Pakistan Bureau ofStatistics(PBS), the inflation rate reached an all-time high of 35.37 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the month of March. This is staggering.
As such, the asymmetrical impact of rising inflation has affected those who once used to donate to the welfare organisations to continue theiraid assistance to the poor and the needy during Ramazan.
Moreover, the prices being charged by retailers during Ramazan are good enough to surprise any sane person.
Such profiteering has put an additional burden on the poor, making them struggle just to be able to put two square meals on the table.
The unfortunate stampede which claimed innocent lives is a glaring example of failure on the part of our politicians and policymakers.
Philanthropists, on the other hand, need to understand that the situation is unusually grave and grim, and when they plan their nex outing, they must come prepared ahead of ration distribution.
The government on its part should chalk out an indigenous plan to curb inflation rather than wait for IMF assistance.
