airmarshal
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- Jul 28, 2010
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Just came back after three weeks holidays.
Was surprised to see inflation specifically in food prices. The food prices are almost comparable to here in Canada. But the income is still low.
At the same time, was really surprised that almost everyone has a new car. Local manufactures have hard time coping with the demand.
The problem with the majority of middle class is that their income barely meets the expenses like bills, school fees, medical care and transport. Thats where pinch is felt the most.
At the same time, there are big Wal-Mart style stores that have opened recently. German Metro is there and the local Makro (Habib Group) is also doing very, very well. There are super markets springing up everywhere. It seems like the general people have money to spend or their standards of shopping have changed.
On mains bazaars, you will not find parking anywhere. There are cars parked at kerb and there are cars parked at their back and then are more cars on the side of those cars. So there are three levels of parked cars. And still more people are coming.
You will also see brand new model BMWs and Mercedes on the road. So there is prosperity and as well as some problems.
I was visiting Karachi. The electricity problem is there but of the 3 weeks I was there, there was only 2 or 3 power failures which wasn't bad considering the smaller cities have much bigger problem.
My final conclusion was that Pakistan is a very strong country. If we get an honest leadership, we can reach the pinnacle of economic development. We have the people, the motivation and will to put hard work in. We just need good leadership to show us the right direction.
Was surprised to see inflation specifically in food prices. The food prices are almost comparable to here in Canada. But the income is still low.
At the same time, was really surprised that almost everyone has a new car. Local manufactures have hard time coping with the demand.
The problem with the majority of middle class is that their income barely meets the expenses like bills, school fees, medical care and transport. Thats where pinch is felt the most.
At the same time, there are big Wal-Mart style stores that have opened recently. German Metro is there and the local Makro (Habib Group) is also doing very, very well. There are super markets springing up everywhere. It seems like the general people have money to spend or their standards of shopping have changed.
On mains bazaars, you will not find parking anywhere. There are cars parked at kerb and there are cars parked at their back and then are more cars on the side of those cars. So there are three levels of parked cars. And still more people are coming.
You will also see brand new model BMWs and Mercedes on the road. So there is prosperity and as well as some problems.
I was visiting Karachi. The electricity problem is there but of the 3 weeks I was there, there was only 2 or 3 power failures which wasn't bad considering the smaller cities have much bigger problem.
My final conclusion was that Pakistan is a very strong country. If we get an honest leadership, we can reach the pinnacle of economic development. We have the people, the motivation and will to put hard work in. We just need good leadership to show us the right direction.
I'd say the middle and upper class are rising. But I'm pretty sure the people who live in poverty aren't as happy as the other guys.
