Free food, good Idea ?

Day 870, 16:11 • Published in Pakistan Pakistan • by Hammas Amer

"Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work." - Peter Drucker,
With a heavy heart, I say this, yes, we are living in a time of great struggle. A time where penny saving has become a survival necessity, economy fails to show an increase and most of all food fails to fill every stomach. Whether it be the productivity, availability or cost of the food, the people are having trouble placing food on their family tables.

[Official Report]
Day 870, Apirl 08 2010, 12:45 - The President appears on national television, addressing the nation, providing solutions to the masses of problems that every Pakistani is facing everyday, to be honest it seemed more of a 'have faith' type communication, those few presidential dialouges in which the main phrase the presidents wants to convey is 'have faith in me, trust me,'- according to Jang News analysts.
After the hour long address, many people were left shocked dead, or rather, surprised, Free Food !
At first it might seem as if this is the ultimate solution, but think again. Opposing party members have remarked this new "Free food program" as 'showering salt over open wounds...'

Then at around typical lunch time, people flocked to their nearby national parks, where trucks were parked with tonnes of rice and grain/wheat stockpiled and ready to give off.
Jang News went off to Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi, after a bit of talking and looking around, there were a few problems, e.g - members of the same family were each given sack(s) of grain/rice, there was no certain managing and impatience was a major factor from the citizens. A quite depressing sight for the eyes, to see the people who were put off as the supplies/stock finished and were sent off to their homes with empty stomachs.

The food costs about 6 gold, coming out of the government accounts. The food, imported from Netherland. Various party members of Pro Pakistani, seem quite 'thrown off' after this sudden decision by the president. Decision, made without any debates, without any consultation and advisory. 'Democracy lovers', the Pakistani's fear the worst off this 'order' sent out of the Presidency.

However, this is the first day of the program, things may progress with time, what will Mr. President decide next ? Free weapons, free experience? ...
"... this cold decision has left us frozen, 100 stomachs for 6 gold, that is about 35 gold for the entire Pakistani population, a company could have been established instead, selling food at a low price, any who, I believe the president thought deeply before making this decision and ultimately his service is done for the people of Pakistan, who voted for him" - Ministry of Finance.

All we have to say is, 'Eat well, be well' - for now.

Stay with Jang News for the latest news, views and clues.
Bon Apetite !

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16:00, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi - A child walks off holding twelve pieces of bread.



14:00, Jinnah Park, grain sacks are ripped open.



13:30, - Baloch Farmers watch the president's dialect on national television, fear unemployment.