Daily Times

Sir: The vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah for Pakistan to become a welfare state seems to be lost and gone forever. However, due to the untiring and devoted endeavours of the Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, this dream of a welfare state has started to materialise into a reality. We all know that poverty has been one of the biggest problems that Pakistan faces today. Therefore, a revolutionary scheme named the Punjab khidmat (help) programme by the CM Punjab for poverty stricken people is a welcome step. Under this programme, targeted subsidy will be provided to the poorest families and the Punjab government will give Rs 1,000 per month to families living below the poverty line. This targeted subsidy programme is to be implemented from January and will provide relief to 1.3 million families during the current financial year.

The spiralling rise in the prices of commodities of daily use, on the one hand, and poverty on the other have combined to spread hunger, which now affects a large segment of our society. High inflation has badly hit the rich and the poor alike, but the poverty stricken class is the worst target. Therefore, all possible efforts should be made to lessen the economic burden and to raise the living standards of the deprived segments of society. Welfare of the people should be the top priority of every government because poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity.

SYED ALI QASIM

Lahore