Whereas the poor-friendly Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led government does not tire of its sky-high claims of unprecedented achievements, the inflation-hit Karachiites are drawing lots for essential but exorbitantly expensive food items, like flour, to run their kitchens.
While the ever-skyrocketing prices of essential kitchen items like flour, sugar, ghee and beverages like Rooh Afza etc have left the poverty-stricken masses of the country with no option but to commit suicide, there are areas in this metropolis where one can get five kilograms atta (flour) and a bottle of 800 cc Rooh Afza at Rs 2 only.
This bumper offer, which is restricted to the holy month of Ramazan, can be availed if one visits union conncil-1 (UC) of Keamari Town, where an unemployed youth is selling a two rupees lottery from Maghrib to Isha prayers to earn sustenance for his poor family.
"The prevalent inflation put this idea in my mind and I started drawing lots on flour, which remained very successful," said the 25-year old youth requesting anonymity.
He said he casts some 100 lots in one round with each lot priced at Rs 2 only and the winner, by choice, gets either a 5 kg mixed flour or a Rooh Afza bottle or any other item available on the stall.
"We also have some other items but people, mostly those of middle age, opt for flour or beverages while youngsters go for toys," said the lottery holder. According to the unemployed youth, he opens four to five draws during the short two-hour period, and earns Rs 25 in each round. "I buy 5 kg atta at Rs 160 and cast 100 parchees (pieces of paper) on it, so the winner gets 5 kg flour at Rs 2 only, while each draw earns Rs 25 for me," he said.
He said the lottery was not only benefiting the poor people who were happily taking away the 160 rupees' flour and 85 rupees' Rooh Afza bottle (almost) free of cost, but it was also running his kitchen. "It earns Rs 100-150 for an unemployed person like me, which is good," he jubilated. The poor guy was initially reluctant to give information to this reporter as, he said, this could attract a rare and indiscriminate government action.
But he become fluent when an unknown bystander told him that his job was not likely to bring any harm to an unemployed youth like him who had preferred a respectable means of livelihood instead of being involved in the anti-social activities, like plundering, theft, killing etc. According to the onlooker, the lottery was, in fact, an eye-opener and severe blow on the face of governments, the unpragmatic policies of which had made a daily use essential item like flour an inaccessible thing for the poor masses.