Over the past few months, the common citizens in Pakistan have been facing unprecedented economic-pressures and debilitating inflation, while the closure of many big industries and enterprises is also causing a sharp rise in unemployment, all over the country. The lowest income segments are also worst affected by the financial-crunch and recent disruption of import-trade in Pakistan.
Many of the poorest people are deprived of education, skills and opportunities, so they rely on Vending Carts (Rehrees) & Street-Stalls to earn some livelihood for their families. Instead of supporting these impoverished citizens, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has recently demolished a large number of Street-vendor Carts and Stalls that were ‘officially allowed’ in a few specified areas of Islamabad to operate under the previous government’s ‘Ehsaas Rehri-baan Initiative’.
This was a cruel and condemnable activity, conducted by the ‘Anti-Encroachment Teams’ of CDA. They must understand that the ‘Ehsaas Rehri-baan Initiative’ was providing an enabling environment to bring the smallest street-vendors into the economic mainstream.
But, the current government’s ruthless raids are sabotaging this unique and effective ‘Poverty-Alleviation Program’ all over Pakistan. The poor victims of this attack are still protesting in the streets and on social-media. Considering the debilitating inflation and unemployment in Pakistan, every citizen must urge the authorities in Islamabad to reverse this insensitive decision.
Kashif Arif
Karachi
Disclaimer: The Upcut does not, in any way, endorse the opinions expressed by writers on its platform. The views expressed by writers are their own.
