While elections are to be organized at the end of 2023, the Pakistani government has so far refused to comply with the IMF’s conditions, namely the end of subsidies to the energy sector and interventions in the exchange rates, as well as higher taxes. After the declaration of the Pakistani Prime Minister who says he must ” accept Under these conditions, the population, which has already been tightening its belt for several months, fears the worst.
With our correspondent in Pakistan, Sonia Ghezali
At the market, Nasseem wastes no time. Vegetables, meat have become too expensive for this housekeeper. She limits herself to the minimum to feed her family: “ We no longer take chai, of milk tea in the morning, we only drink green tea because milk has become unaffordable. It became very difficult. I only earn 20,000 rupees and support ten people. Flour rose. The 15 kg bag costs 2,500 rupees. And it doesn’t last long for ten people. »
” We unplugged the refrigerator »
With his monthly salary equivalent to 67 euros, Nasseem can no longer pay his electricity bills, which have tripled in a few months. She took drastic measures: We unplugged the refrigerator. We use more than one light, that of the living room. We all gather there at night. Luckily we don’t have to use the fans because it’s winter. Gas also became very expensive so I told my children to turn off the gas. We use wood stoves for cooking now “.
She fears the new increases to come. The country has no choice if it wants to fulfill the conditions of the IMF. Further increases – among others – in the cost of petrol, gas and electricity are expected.
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