IN a commendable move towards easing burden on the common man, Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has announced to reduce the price of bread to Rs16 per loaf. This decision, effective from Monday, comes as a relief for many struggling households amidst rising inflation.
It is worth noting the historical context, where back in 2008, during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as CM, the price of roti was reduced to mere two rupees. While replicating such a drastic reduction may not be feasible today due to the economic changes over the years, the current reduction from twenty to sixteen rupees is still a significant relief that warrants appreciation. The Chief Minister Punjab in her post on X handle also mentioned that for the first time, Rs 500 reduction occurred in the price of 20 kg flour bag and there is further possibility of Rs300 reduction in the flour price according to market indicators. In times where political differences often overshadow the greater good, it is crucial to acknowledge and support initiatives aimed at the welfare of the people, especially those belonging to the vulnerable segments of society. The reduction in bread prices should not be a subject of political manoeuvring but rather a collective effort towards ensuring basic necessities are accessible to all. It is imperative for other provinces to follow suit and implement similar measures to alleviate the financial burden on their residents. However, merely reducing the price of one commodity is not a comprehensive solution to the issue of inflation. Administrative measures need to be implemented to address the broader issue of soaring prices of essential commodities. Price control committees must be actively engaged to curb the activities of profiteers who exploit the situation to fill their pockets at the expense of the consumers.
