Poor, not billionaires should get government support - Press Release issued by Pakistan Economy Watch.

Islamabad -- January 20, 2023 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)

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The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said packages are given to the poor in western countries but billionaires get support packages in Pakistan. The sole purpose of packages doled out to the rich is to increase their fortunes on the cost of the poor, it said. Masses are always told that packages given to industrial, agricultural, stock market or real estate sectors are necessary for national development which is contrary to the facts, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of PEW.

He said that there is no concept of tax amnesty schemes in civilized countries, but every government in Pakistan provides an opportunity for the rich to whiten their black money. Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that the former government announced the construction package by promising affordable housing for the poor but not a single house could be built for the poor.

The scheme helped the builders' mafia earn billions of rupees and it resulted in increased prices of plots, houses and construction materials. At the same time, rents crossed the limits putting a burden on tens of millions of people. He said that industrialists and entrepreneurs in Pakistan are addicted to packages, bailouts and tax amnesty schemes and they do not work until they are given...