ISLAMABAD: There has been a significant increase in the number of beggars after the phenomenal rise in prices of daily use commodities. With it has risen social crimes especially thefts, robberies and use of fraudulent ways. This is only because people are hard put to keep their body and soul together after the uncontrolled fluctuations in prices during the last few years when the incumbent government took over.

Price-hikes, poverty and inequality have been with us all the times but the present government broke all records in taking these social constraints to an all-time high. This is why begging and social crimes have seen a precipitous rise during the last few years.

At every intersection, junction of every road, you will find a line of beggars running at every motorist and pedestrian with stretched out hands. In markets, bazaars and outside big food outlets and restaurants also, you will find people begging for food or money. In the same way, there are many beggars who go from street to street, house to house to ask for alms. During the holy month of Ramazan and the two Eids, these beggars increase manifolds in number. They swarm every road intersection, market, streets, mosque etc. While some might be professional beggars others are genuinely poor, deserving, forced by adversity to resort to this shameful practice thanks to the incessant price-rise.

In Pakistan, about 40 per cent of the population is living bellow the poverty line. They are mostly inhabited in the remote rural areas where sources of income are very rare. But people in cities are in no better condition after the prevailing rise in prices. The uncontrollable hike in prices has become a buzzword and a topic of common discussion amongst everyone almost everywhere.

It is obvious. It is so simple. In such a situation, what will people ultimately do? They will either have to face starvation or have to find something to eat to live. When a simple loaf of bread is available at Rs5, 6, or Rs8, 9-10 at some places, then what could be done? Only the well-to-do will be able to purchase their necessities. Those who depend on daily wages hardly equal to Rs100 per day will definitely resort to beggary, thefts and dacoities. Sometimes, even such daily wage job is not available.

Prices of almost all commodities have become double, tripled and - some have even increased four, five times - after the incumbent government took over. These are still unstable and keep on rising making it difficult for the majority of people to accommodate their expenses within the small budget. In such a situation, people are usually attracted by unfair means.

The ongoing rise in prices has badly affected everyone. Not to talk of those living bellow the poverty line, even those in the middle class are in problems to accommodate the rising expenses. Life has become miserable for the common man.

But everything has a solution. The price-hike and plethora of other problems too can be tackled only if serious and honest efforts are made. Social safety nets, social workers, philanthropists and community system have a great role to play in this peculiar situation. A big number of people live on alms and charities doled out by other well-to-do or sponsored by the welfare institutions like Baitul Maal and Zakat.

These existing social safety nets can do wonders if strengthened further and made effective financially and administratively.

As price-hike, unemployment and poverty continue and is on the rise on a regular basis, people are extremely worried as what might be in store for this country. Will it work the way it is doing or will there be any improvement in the situation.

But what is most worrying is that things are likely to worsen with the passage of time even further and going out of control.

This grave situation is further worsened by the fact that the country's resources, employment and other opportunities are mostly in the hands of a select group of people whereas a majority of the population is totally deprived of all kinds of state benefits. They are hand-to-mouth. They have to do petty jobs or small chores on a daily wage basis to eke out their living or else they won't have anything to arrange a two-square meal to live an honourable life. The former has a tight grip, complete monopoly over all the state's benefits and they are never in a mood to share the same with the people of lesser god.

As such, the richer get richer while the poor, poorer. The gap between the two sections is getting wider with each passing day. While the former remains totally unaffected no matter how much prices go up, the latter find themselves unable to manage to get something for daily use.