Islamabad, October 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said the government is not interested in providing any relief to the masses facing high inflation. If the government was interested in providing relief to the masses, it would have allowed the import of food items from India which is not the case, it said. The problem of food security is becoming serious and the ban on their imports from India is damaging the poor while strengthening the influential food mafia, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

In a statement issued here today, he said that the import of food items should be allowed from India until the situation of agricultural production in the country returns to normal. Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that India is the best source of quick and cheap access to food items but imports are not being allowed because it is not the problem of the ruling elite but that of the masses.

Presently some Indian and Pakistani businessmen are forced to trade through the UAE at the cost of the people of Pakistan, he informed. He noted that Pakistan’s population is increasing rapidly and if agriculture is not given attention, the situation will worsen and people will face starvation. Apart from agriculture, other sectors of the economy also need to be given attention, otherwise, there will be an acute energy crisis, rampant poverty, and unemployment.

He noted that the decision to give preference to geo-economics over geopolitics was a political statement with no connection to reality. Dr. Mughal said that India and China have fought wars but they are also engaged in trade and Beijing’s surplus in trade with India is over one trillion dollars.

For more information, contact:
President,
Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)
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