THE government’s recent decision to withdraw partially the increase in the prices of petroleum products has not served the cause of the toiling masses. In Pakistan, the rich are becoming richer and the poor are getting poorer because of wrong policies of the government.

Lack of business opportunities, unemployment and unprecedented inflation reign supreme.

Our political leaders, however, are oblivious of the gravity of the situation. The rich and the elite might not have any impact because of the inflation. But salaried persons from the middle class have been already facing problems in meeting their daily expenses.

Salaries of those who work in private organisations will never be increased no matter how much inflation there is. I would ask the government to save the common man from financial miseries.

ASHFAQ SHARIF Karachi

Price hike ALTHOUGH the increase in the prices of petroleum products have been taken back partially, prices of all commodities have, however, shown increase, one way or the other.

Our government should take serious measures to protect the rights of its people, instead of burdening them.

People with a basic pay of Rs7,000 are not able to bear the burden of rising prices of essentials.

The government must cut down its expenditure to get rid of the financial crisis rather than shift the burden on to the people.

FATIMA ZAHRA BUKHARI Lahore