By Asadullah Raisani
Imagine a man in his 30s earning around 30 thousand rupees a month as a daily wage worker. He must pay his house rent, provide for and educate his four children, feed his wife and parents, and cover the medical expenses of his ailing and aging parents, all within these 30 thousand rupees.
No economist in the world can formulate a monthly budget for such a person. He is vulnerable to numerous insecurities and burdens, leading a life that is simply hellish as he struggles to make ends meet for the sake of his children. The plight of this common man is not unique; it resonates deeply across the landscapes of Dalbandin, Panjgur, Noshki, Barkhan, Kholu, Chaghi, Kalat, and other remote areas of Balochistan, where economic opportunities are scarce and survival hinges precariously on meager wages. In these regions, individuals earn even less than our imagined daily wage workers in the cities, amplifying the hardships faced by families already on the brink of poverty.
I recall a man I met during fieldwork for a study in Dalbandin, who was in his 70s and asked me for a job. If a man in his 70s, when he should be resting, is asking for a job, imagine the condition of people in their 20s or 30s who are responsible for supporting families and still have much of their lives ahead of them. How are they coping with their expenses and the lack of proper job prospects?
This opinion article aims to highlight the severe financial hardships faced by the common people in the country, particularly Balochistan, focusing on the daily struggles of low-income earners. It sheds light on the high costs of healthcare, the poor quality of government education, the unaffordability of private education, the dire nutritional deficiencies resulting from financial constraints, and the increasing inaccessibility of higher education due to financial strain on universities. By presenting these ground realities, the article aims to illustrate the widening socio-economic disparities and the persistent cycle of poverty exacerbated by decisions made by the elite. It seeks to propose a way forward to address these pressing issues and improve the living conditions and future prospects of the affected populations.
I recently learned that the cost of labor and baby delivery in an average private hospital is between 150,000 to 200,000 rupees. Due to lack of trust in government hospitals, people often prefer private hospitals for such cases. Even those who can afford these expenses are frequently dismayed by the high costs relative to the average facilities provided. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, taking out loans to cover these expenses often leads to debt, further compromising their quality of life. Those who run their households on wages, such as laborers, auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, and roadside stall owners, cannot afford these expenses at all. They are at the mercy of largely inefficient doctors and hospitals.
When it comes to the education of children, the situation is equally grave. The majority of the government schools offer poor quality education, providing below-average skills and knowledge that leave a large segment of society deprived of the basic education necessary for their careers and adult life. In contrast, private schools offer better, though not ideal, education but charge substantial fees that many families cannot afford. This financial barrier prevents a significant number of children from accessing a higher quality education. Consequently, these disparities in educational opportunities perpetuate social and economic inequalities, keeping classicism alive in the country. The divide between those who can afford private education and those who cannot ensures that the gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to widen, hindering social mobility and overall national progress.
Thirdly, the monthly food ration for a family of six costs around 20 thousand rupees. Lower Middle Class and Lower-Class citizens cannot afford this expense, so they are forced to compromise on their food intake, leading to malnutrition in themselves and their children. This malnutrition often results in diseases like anemia, especially in females, which further complicates their health. An inadequate diet also causes mental and physical retardation, adding to the hardships these individuals face. The lack of proper nutrition affects their ability to work and learn effectively, thereby perpetuating a cycle of poverty and poor health. This situation not only impacts the affected families but also negatively affects the overall well-being and productivity of our society.
Moreover, higher education is becoming more expensive with each passing year. In Balochistan, the situation is particularly dire as universities are compelled to cut scholarships and endowment funds because they are struggling to pay salaries to their staff and teachers. This financial strain further exacerbates the problem, limiting access to higher education for many deserving students. The inability to afford university education means that a significant number of young people are deprived of the opportunities necessary to improve their socio-economic status. As a result, the region continues to face a shortage of qualified professionals, hindering its development and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. This growing inaccessibility to higher education further deepens the existing educational and economic disparities in Balochistan in particular and in Pakistan in general.
In a nutshell, the gap between the ruling and ruled classes is evident in the plans and policies made in the country, particularly regarding the budget. The budget for the current fiscal year is not unique; as usual, the struggling class continues to struggle without any considerable improvement in the country’s financial management. They suffer from birth until death, as the lack of proper finances leads to compromised lives. With no business-friendly environment, they continue to struggle to make ends meet, which has become the new normal in Pakistan.
As a way forward, a simple solution can be drawn from Islamic chronicles when Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A) set his salary equal to that of a laborer to ensure he understood whether the salary was sufficient to cover expenses. This principle aptly underscores that a state’s power can be gauged by how safe and secure its weakest citizens are. However, much still needs to be done, and experts are better equipped than any layman to address these issues. There appears to be complete apathy between the ruling and the ruled classes, a divide that must be bridged. A significant number of people struggle to earn a reasonable income due to factors such as aging, lack of employment opportunities, and diminishing purchasing power parity. These realities must be considered when formulating financial policies.
The focus should shift towards addressing giants who easily evade the country’s tax net and engage in money laundering and other corrupt practices, rather than burdening those who have little left to spare. It is crucial to prioritize policies that protect and empower vulnerable citizens, ensuring equitable opportunities and security for all. By fostering empathy and accountability, we can forge a path where every citizen, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive with dignity and hope.
Author: Asadullah Raisani – Research Officer Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta.
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).
Image Credit: Banaras Khan/AFP