Islamabad: Kashif javed
Inflation in our country has always been sky-high, but as Ramadan approaches, it behaves like a rocket attempting to escape Earth’s orbit. At this time, it becomes the government’s sacred duty to soothe the wounds of the people—with bandages applied under the glare of television cameras, ensuring the world witnesses the benevolence of those in power.
The latest announcement comes from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who has allocated 20 billion rupees for the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Package 2025. The government proudly declares in national newspapers that this amount is three times more than last year’s allocation. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is not to be left behind. She has introduced a 30-billion-rupee “Ramadan Gift” scheme, promising 10,000 rupees per deserving household. Predictably, these packages will be adorned with grand banners bearing words like Service, Compassion, and Empathy—ensuring that every recipient feels the weight of the government’s “generosity.”
But here lies the real question: Is this truly an act of benevolence? Let’s be clear—this money is not a gift; it is the very same wealth extracted from the people through taxes, now being returned in installments, masquerading as a favor. First, tax the citizens mercilessly, then repackage a fraction of their own money as an aid package, and in doing so, strip them of their dignity.
If the government truly cared about the people’s welfare, why not invest these 50 billion rupees (20 billion from the Prime Minister and 30 billion from the Chief Minister) into sustainable job creation? Why not develop industries, skill programs, or business incentives that empower people to earn a respectable livelihood, rather than forcing them into charity lines? But of course, empowered citizens are dangerous to the status quo. Keeping people dependent on handouts ensures they remain grateful—and, more importantly, remain under control.
This is not how things work in developed nations. In Europe, for example, social welfare systems support the unemployed with structured unemployment benefits, not by making them stand in humiliating queues for a Ramadan handout. Their governments invest in long-term employment solutions, not momentary relief that vanishes after a few meals. But here? Our system seems designed to discourage hard work. First, we destroy employment opportunities. Then, we force the poor into dependence on government charity. And finally, we celebrate our own generosity with grand Ramadan announcements.
This reminds me of an old joke: A man would walk up to a child every day, slap him on the head, and say, “Be grateful I’m the one doing this—otherwise, someone else would have!” The situation in Pakistan is not too different. First, the government slaps the people with economic crises. Then, inflation delivers another blow. And when the public cries out, the government throws a relief package at them like a consolation prize. The only difference is—the man in the joke eventually stopped slapping the child. Our governments never do.
So, the real question is: Do we want charity, or do we want dignity? If the government is sincere about public welfare, it must shift from distributing alms to creating opportunities. People should have a means to earn, so they are not forced to stand in lines every year for a meager 10,000 rupees. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if next year, the grand announcement reads: “This year’s Ramadan package is five times bigger than the last!” And the people, out of sheer helplessness, applaud their own dependence.
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This article reflects the personal opinions and views of the author. The views expressed do not necessarily align with those of Qalamclub.com. The organization holds no affiliation or responsibility for the content.
