The high rise in inflation, the disrupted law and order, and the meagre income of the majority of the population has made things go out of hand in this country. So far, 6 lives have been lost in different cities of the country in the struggle to get free flour.
Despite the disrupted situation, the administration have failed to find a way out for the distribution of flour with dignity and peace. For instance, one person died after waiting in a queue for hours in Bhakkar, a stampede in Muzaffargarh claimed the life of an elderly woman and a man in Charsadda, whereas 3 people died of cardiac arrest while waiting in queues in Multan, Faisalabad and Kot Addu.
Apart from this, protests were also held in Peshawar due to the non-availability of flour. The roads in the city’s vicinity were blocked by women, whereas citizens protested in front of the newly appointed assistant commissioner due to the non-availability of flour in Tehsil Taunsa of Dera Ghazi Khan.
The food scarcity and poverty can drive people to commit violent acts in order to obtain basic necessities such as flour. These acts can range from individual theft to large-scale looting and riots. There is a dire need for time for the authorities to address food insecurity rather than fight for power to prevent such tragedies and misfortunes.