PESHAWAR: In the early hours of each foggy morning, Zakir Khan, a 65-year-old fruit seller, embarks on a challenging rickshaw journey from the outskirts of the provincial metropolitan to Peshawar’s fruit market.
Clad in traditional attire, he, along with his son Asadullah Khan, aims to purchase affordable fruits to sustain his eight-member family. The day involves navigating through open auctions at the Chamkani fruit market in Peshawar and unloading fruits at the Pabbi market in Nowshera.
However, the increasing prices of fruits, particularly with the onset of the new year, pose a severe challenge. Zakir Khan recounts the struggle, citing the surge in citrus and apple prices compared to the previous year, making it difficult to continue the fruit-selling business.
Customers, too, feel the impact, expressing concerns about the exorbitant prices. Riazul Haq, a retired teacher, highlights the failure of district administration to regulate and check prices, holding hoarders and price hikers accountable.
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Beyond the challenges faced by individual sellers, Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar, sheds light on the broader issue of poverty in the region. Quoting a World Bank report, he notes an increase in the poverty ratio, pushing millions below the poverty line. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies, including financial and fiscal policies, educational reforms, and job creation, to address the socio-economic imbalances.
To counter poverty, initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (KP-TEVTA) are playing crucial roles. BISP provides financial assistance, education, and health support to deserving families, while KP-TEVTA focuses on technical education and vocational training for youth, empowering them with skills for better employment opportunities.
Feroz Jamal Kakakhel, KP Information and Tourism caretaker Minister, outlines the government’s efforts, including the Khushal Pakhtunkhwa Program, aimed at generating employment opportunities, providing education scholarships, and addressing the challenges faced by underprivileged families.
As the struggles of fruit sellers like Zakir Khan highlight the economic hardships, collaborative efforts from government, educational institutions, and communities become imperative to alleviate poverty and foster sustainable development.
