LAHORE, July 14: Tomatoes keep our politicians on back foot.

When women at Shadman bazaar complained about the soaring price of tomatoes on Sunday, Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yaseen suggested them to use lemon or yogurt to spice up the dishes.

“What should we use in the dishes or salads where only tomatoes are required?” a woman asked the minister, according to a bystander.

Another woman reminded the minister of the government’s duty to control price of tomatoes in markets instead of suggesting alternatives to tomatoes.

The discussion reminds of Musharraf, who when faced public complaints about soaring price of tomatoes in December 2003, had suggested the public to use vegetables that were in season.

His suggestion drew widespread criticism and media review across the globe.