Elusive relief

Regrettably, the government has ushered in the new year with yet another burden on the people by increasing petrol and diesel prices. The populace is already grappling with soaring utility bills, transportation costs, and high prices of consumer goods, making survival increasingly challenging. The purchasing power of the average citizen continues to erode, driving more people into poverty despite official claims of poverty reduction.

Will there ever be a meaningful economic recovery, or is it destined to remain a mere aspiration? Like its predecessors, the current government has rolled out an ambitious economic revival plan, dubbed Uraan Pakistan. However, given the prevailing domestic conditions and global challenges, even its earnest implementation is unlikely to bring tangible relief to the common person in the foreseeable future.

Hussain Ahmad Siddiqui

Islamabad