On the margins.

Byline: Tariq Hassan

DISADVANTAGED persons (DPs), comprising poor, unemployed, uneducated and unskilled low-wage workers, and other vulnerable members of society, usually get the long end of the stick and the short end of the carrot. They get a disproportionate share of both punishments for their crimes and rewards for their labour. They are generally denied their just and equitable share of the country's resources and the wealth generated from those resources.

DPs are socially, economically and politically marginalised members of society. They, therefore, require special attention and treatment by the state.

The Constitution promises that adequate provision shall be made to safeguard the legitimate interests of minorities and backward and depressed classes. Consequently, the Principles of Policy therein require the state to protect minorities, promote educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas, and reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals.

Mindful of these constitutional requirements, Pakistan should strenuously seek to realise these principles especially during the current health emergency and resultant economic crisis to preclude DPs from being further marginalised.

An unequitable distribution of relief is evident.

The federal government has taken various ad hoc measures to safeguard the interests of DPs, comprising cash disbursements to provide relief to workers, cash transfers to low-income families, and financial support to SMEs in the form of relief on electricity bill payments and support of bank lending to them. It has also launched a programme for the construction sector intended to address the acute employment needs generated by the lockdowns.

Further, the provinces have announced fiscal measures, broadly comprising cash grants and ration distribution programmes for low-income households. The State Bank has also approved a scheme to incentivise businesses to avoid laying off their workers during the pandemic and increased the regulatory limit on extension of credit to SMEs.

The financial support granted to workers, low-income families and SMEs is a small fraction of the overall relief package announced by the federal government to overcome the economic crisis. Similarly, the fiscal and financial measures announced by the provinces and State Bank are also imbalanced. It would not be possible for any government to sustain its cash grants because of fiscal contraction that is taking place...