Long queues for free flour in Pakistan

Islamabad: Due to skyrocketing inflation in Pakistan, 90 percent people have stopped eating in hotels. The situation has become worse in Pakistan, which is facing cash crunch. Here the poor and working class can be seen dependent on food and drink. A crowd of thousands of people is being seen at the flour distribution centers set up across the country. At these centers too, the situation is becoming one of looting and fighting. Recently, 16 people were killed in a stampede at a centre. At the same time, trucks carrying bags of flour were looted at many places. Due to inflation, the lower class people have nothing left to eat. Lakhs of people are living only on the help of local people and government.

A research organization ‘Gallup Pakistan’ has conducted a survey regarding inflation in Pakistan and its impact. In whose findings it has been said that 9 out of 10 people (89 percent) in Islamabad have accepted that they are not eating outside food by going to hotels and restaurants etc. It is better to give up this hobby due to inflation. People say that the effect of inflation is being seen on the hotel industry. Although 9 percent people have said that they go to hotels, restaurants etc. to eat like before. Due to inflation, some money has to be spent more, but it has not made any significant difference on their food habits.

Highest inflation rate since 1970s
A spokesman for the statistics bureau said inflation was the highest year-on-year increase recorded by the bureau since monthly records began in the 1970s. “This is the highest inflation ever recorded in the data we have,” he said. The government agency further revealed that annual food inflation in March stood at 47.1 percent and 50.2 percent for urban and rural areas, respectively , while core inflation, which separates food and energy, was 18.6 percent in urban areas and 23.1 percent in rural areas.