THE 2017-18 budget is neither balanced nor people-friendly. If we take into account inflation, it has hurt the people who have barely anything left after paying for food, utilities, children’s education and healthcare.

To me it seems that our ruling class will never understand that good budgeting means better healthcare, good and affordable education, and cheap and quick justice for the people. They have to realise that extreme poverty brings upheaval in society and is the harbinger of revolution. The adage ‘seeing is believing’ is apt here.

I have recently visited various towns and villages in rural Sindh, particularly my beloved Larkana. It is in ruins — dilapidated roads and overflowing sewers — a sure sign that poverty has increased in this once prosperous part of the country.

Hashim Abro

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017