ACCORDING to news reports, surplus sugar production is expected this year too as over 4.5 million tons of sugar production is estimated against the domestic requirements of 4.2 million. Sugarcane crushing is in full swing.

I am a senior citizen and ill, living as is generally said ‘on bonus life’.

I have not got education from any American-labelled institution or coloured printed textbooks. I did my primary from a municipality school which in those times used to be free.

When I was in Class VI, for the first time I paid a monthly fee of Rs2 and six annas.

As such I am not familiar with modern economics. My knowledge of economy is limited to the extent that when the production or supply is more, then prices come down and if there is scarcity of any item, its price goes up.

While I am waiting for my fair share of two or three dollars out of $60 million expected from Switzerland as a consequence of the letter having been written, this ‘sick old man’ today has also added another hope before resting in peace that this year I will get sugar, even perhaps just for one single day at the rate of Rs40.

JAVED              Karachi