By: Neha Ali Dharejo
In examining the situation of poverty in Pakistan, we need to use stronger words to explain the scenario. It is a massive issue that has persisted for a long time and has now deeply entrenched itself in the country. This issue is not confined to villages; it has spread to every nook and corner of the state, ensnaring the masses in its sheer cruelty.
The poor who fall below the poverty line must struggle day and night for their livelihood. Yet, despite their best efforts, they barely find any source of income to survive each day. Considering the ongoing inflation in the country, having three meals a day has become a dream for many in the labor class category. Even though there is a minimum wage set at PKR 32,000 per month, the labor class still struggles to make ends meet. These are the individuals who have the opportunity to engage in labor work, but what about those who, despite trying every single day, cannot find any work?
Numerous people search for work daily but hardly find any. Among these examples, the people in Larkana who actively seek work can serve as a wake-up call for the authorities. The sight of a large number of people in Larkana, all standing along Bander Road and the Shore of Rice Canal in Lahori Mohalla, desperately seeking work for hours, is heart-wrenching. These unemployed individuals come and stand in these areas every day from dawn to afternoon, hoping to secure labor opportunities from those in higher social classes. However, with each passing hour, their motivation diminishes, and they become anxious about not finding work or earning anything for their families. In this distressing situation, the well-being of their families suffers as they return home empty-handed. This is not an isolated incident; they endure this hardship every single day, and the cycle continues.
This situation underscores the urgent need to address their dire circumstances, and the example of the people in Larkana highlights the severity of the situation in the Sindh province, where people suffer greatly in the city of leaders.
Therefore, it is time for the government, both at the national and provincial levels, to take a stand against this miserable situation. In addition to the government, the elite classes should also consider these people and create job opportunities for their livelihood. These troubling circumstances require collective efforts from the government and civil society to address.
