Pakistan has released an assistance package aimed at providing economic relief during Ramadan. People are struggling to deal with high prices and soaring inflation, as the government finalizes an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to help its ailing economy.

Islamabad

Pakistan has implemented an assistance package designed to offer economic relief to its citizens during Ramadan. This action comes as individuals in the country are grappling with high prices and escalating inflation rates. The government's initiative coincides with the finalization of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aimed at supporting Pakistan's struggling economy.



Pakistani consumers face food inflation during Ramadan

Another day comes to an end, another iftar or the breaking of the fast. Muhammad Saeed is a father of five children and is a daily wage labourer. Because he does not have money to buy food, he is here to benefit from charity organisations run through local funding by private citizens. I work on daily wage. Sometimes I get work, sometimes I don't. It's very hard to find work these days. The government says it has given concessions on some food items, only for month of Ramadan. But who is going to afford to buy other commodities and pay exorbitant electricity and gas bills? The price of fresh fruit and vegetable is out of reach for many and patience is wearing thin, as shoppers and vendors scuffle over exorbitant price hikes. It's a busy time during this fasting month of Ramadan, with fruit and vegetables on push carts, while others set up shop on busy intersections to make some extra money. Look at these roadside vendors. They are making the situation even worse. Rich people come here in their big cars. They don't even ask the rate. So these vendors are overcharging. Where should poor people go? They say the nearly $45 million relief package offered by the government is a mere drop in the ocean. Pakistan has concluded an agreement with the IMF for a new tranche of $3 billion and is expected to receive a billion dollars in April. But it is already planning to go for a new package. However, economic experts warn any additional loan could lead to a further increase of fuel, gas and electricity prices. They say the next few months will be critical. I think, as I see, the most important is to cool down political temperatures. And I don't have the answer to that. So that there is a broad consensus across the entire political spectrum that some difficult decisions have to be taken the next 12 months to make sure that Pakistan is put on path of a sustainable growth path. As the sun goes down and people break their fast, they wonder how many more hardships they will have to endure before things get better. Kamal Haider, Al Jazeera, Islamabad.

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