IT was indeed surprising for many that the government declared five holidays for Eidul Fitr. On the one hand, we are talking of economic crisis, while on the other we are enjoying so many holidays. We should work day and night to ensure that we are able to put the national economy back on track.

Five long days at home is a real burden on most middle class bread-earners already struggling with inflation. Children tend to put pressure on parents to take them out somewhere. They just cannot be at home for five days doing nothing. With electricity outages, no gas and no water, how can one even imagine being confined to one’s home for five straight days? And going out every day is a big burden on most parents, with costly transport and food prices giving it a touch of torture.

Akber D. Vazir
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2024