Former finance minister Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday that about 16 million more people went below poverty line during the previous regime due to inadequate economic policies. Talking to a private TV channel, he said, according to a survey, presently about 60 million people are living below the poverty line in Pakistan.
He said during the last eight years no due attention was given on the agriculture sector, which is backbone of the country's economy. The former minister said there is sufficient wheat stock but some restrictions on its free movement, because of smuggling fear, are creating problem in smooth supply of this essential commodity.
He underlined the need for ensuring uniformed price of flour across the country, which would help stop smuggling and hoarding. In reply to a question, he said Benazir Income Support Programme is in place to extend financial help to the people living below the poverty line on regular basis.
But, business community in collaboration with welfare organisations must arrange "Langar" (free food) for deserving people to provide them immediate relief, he added. Sartaj Aziz was confident that due to prudent economic policies of the present government the food situation would return to normalcy during the next year.
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