THE government has incorporated the expenses related to provision of security for all past presidents and prime ministers in the Finance Bill 2012-13. According to the Finance Bill, the government proposed amendment to Act IX.

Furthermore, it has increased the budget of the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The question is what the government gave in the budget to the poor of the country. Poverty and unemployment are on the rise. It is difficult for a poor man to run his house when inflation has steeply gone up.

It would have been better had the government done something for the poor in the budget. My request is that the government should adopt an austerity policy and reduce unnecessary expenditures. The money should be utilised on the poor of the country.

TARIQ HUSAIN KHAN Karachi