THE EVER GROWING GAP BETWEEN THE " HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS"

On my recent visit to Pakistan my biggest concern was the huge and rapidly growing " gap " between the haves and have nots . I have always believed that " middle class " is the most important part of the society but it so sad that middle class has almost disappeared from many third world countries and most certainly in Pakistan.

The Asian Development Bank has been urging many third world countries in Asia to address the widening inequality between rich and poor, in terms of income and access to education and health care .

It is true that there has been a rapid growth in the economies of some of these Asian countries, the gap between rich and poor had continued to widen. This, it said, might cause social unrest and rise in criminality.

It was some what heart breaking to see Rs 50,000  ladies designer dresses hanging in posh boutiques in Karachi and Lahore while average household income in the country is less than Rs 20,000. On one side some one buys a Rs 50,000 dress to wear few times and on the other side a family of 5 or 6 people has just  Rs 20,000 or maybe less to spend on food , clothing , school for 30 days .