RAMAZAN is the month of blessings and charity. The religious side of all Pakistanis is working overtime in this month to seek forgiveness for the sins they commit throughout the year.

This is the month in which Iftari and Sehri buffets are set up in mosques and on footpaths. Another common sight is people distributing food for Iftar.

There is a darker side of Iftar packs’ distribution which is exposed when our inner instinct of acquiring as much as possible for free kicks in.

A few days ago a van roaming around in Defence was spotted handing out Iftari bags even to the big and flashy cars pulling up alongside it. I would have no objection if this was being done close to Iftar time, but at 5pm, this is stretching the charity hand too much. I was shocked to see people eagerly going after the doleout.

People keen to distribute food and water should do so among the needy not the greedy.

Syed Sorath Shah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014