By: Javed Khan
Storm of inflation after the federal budget, strong reaction of the District Bar Association Haripur, The cabinet of the District Bar Association Haripur has strongly protested against the recent federal budget and the resulting rapid inflation, calling it “anti-poor” and “pro-aristocratic”. The cabinet statement said that the budget has imposed a new wave of “painful” taxes and inflation on the people who are already under economic pressure, while the privileged class continues to benefit from government facilities. According to the statement, all salaries and benefits of members of parliament should be abolished immediately. Strict restrictions should be imposed on the protocol, luxury vehicles and lavish office expenses of government officials. Immediate relief should be provided to the people by clearly reducing the rates of daily necessities and electricity.
The Bar Association called the recent electricity tariff “cruel” and “unbearable” and described it as a “night of blood” on the lives of ordinary citizens. The cabinet says that the budget and energy price hikes have eroded the purchasing power of the middle and lower classes. The cabinet questioned the “meaningful silence” of political leaders, the Pakistan Bar Council, provincial bar councils and other bar associations. The statement reminded that the people who had supported the judiciary and lawyers during the lawyers’ movement are today the victims of the worst economic exploitation, but there is no one to raise their voice. “The state must assume the role of a mother. Mere slogans will not work, practical steps are inevitable,” said the cabinet president. The general secretary demanded that if the government did not provide immediate economic relief, the bar association would decide on a future course of action, which could possibly include protests and boycott of court proceedings.
