ISLAMABAD: While the national budget is expected to be announced on June 9, traders have appealed to the government to take into account the current crises, especially the rising inflation.

“Set an example by presenting the public budget by including the problems of the poor and middle class and its resources in the priorities. Government employees were left behind during the last few years. Pensioners have become hand to mouth.

In the budget, the salaries of government employees and the pension of retired employees should be increased according to the situation,” said a trader, Sarfaraz Mughal, in a statement.

He said the burden on the government treasury should be reduced by ending the incentives to white elephants such as corporations so that relief could be provided to the masses.

Another trader, Dr Fayyaz Sheikh, said that the reduction in the prices of petroleum products, ghee, oil, flour were positive steps.

However, he said, educational and medical expenses were still too high.

“The salaries of employees and pension should be increased according to the inflation,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2023