DURING the second term of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister, there had been a generous raise by the government in the profit of National Savings schemes. This raise amply satisfied and catered the needs of all those old, retired, widowed and sick persons solely depending on these profits. That move by the government was indeed people friendly.

But now, in the third term as prime minister, there is a sharp contrast in the attitude of the government towards these marginalised people, so that there is a drastic cut in the profit of all schemes.

I may add that people surviving on these schemes are facing at least two disadvantages: profit is highly reduced and the prices of general commodities have gone up 10 to 15 times.

However, during Nawaz Sharif’s third term as prime minister, can we really call this change as “people friendly”?

Syed Haider
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2015

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