Karachi, Mahmood Maulvi, the President of Stability Pakistan Party Sindh, has openly criticized the government’s Ramadan subsidy program, claiming it deceives the public with already market-priced goods. Maulvi argues that the so-called subsidies on essential goods announced for Ramadan do not offer real savings to consumers, suggesting that the government and businesses are exploiting the public under the guise of providing relief during the holy month.

According to Istehkam-e-Pakistan, Maulvi’s critique comes in light of the government’s recent announcement of a Ramadan package worth over 7.49 billion, purportedly to ease the financial burden on consumers during Ramadan. He expressed concern that, globally, Ramadan is a time for offering relief to people, yet in Pakistan, it appears as an opportunity for profiteering by both the government and merchants. Maulvi highlighted the discrepancy between market prices and those claimed to be subsidized by the government, questioning the integrity of the subsidy claims.

The government’s approach, offering conditional subsidies at utility stores for holders of the Benazir Income Support Card and different subsidies for other citizens, has been specifically targeted in Maulvi’s statement. He provided examples such as flour, which is reportedly cheaper in the open market at Rs 125 per kg compared to the government’s subsidized rate of Rs 142, and similar cases with sugar, ghee, oil, pulses, and rice. Maulvi argues that not only are these goods cheaper outside utility stores, but their quality at the subsidized outlets is also significantly lower, often resulting in the sale of substandard products to the public.

Maulvi’s call to action urges the government to halt its deceptive practices and genuinely work towards reducing inflation across the country, not just in utility stores. He emphasizes the need for authentic relief measures that would allow the economically disadvantaged segments of society to benefit truly during Ramadan.