Finally, the figure-juggling by Musharraf's financial managers, claiming a sharp fall in the ratio of those living below the poverty line, a claim that was consistently disputed by impartial sources as well as observation, stands badly exposed. Now, Advisor to PM on Finance and Economic Affairs Shaukat Tarin has plainly admitted that it actually comes to a staggering 44 percent, with 'the poorest of the poor' doubling at 28 percent. Previously, the below-the-poverty-line population computed by non-official sources was of the order of 35 to 40 percent. It is obvious that the recent phenomenal price hike has made its contribution to bring down the lower middle classes to the category of the poor and those who were already poor but able to make both ends meet are now left high and dry, cutting corners even in consuming essential food items. Mr Tarin rightly believes that inflation combined with poverty is the enemy of progress. That should make the twin menace the government's primary target. Addressing the business community at FPCCI House at Karachi on Saturday, he regretted that the interest rate on bank borrowing that directly affected the entrepreneur could not be brought down as long as inflation hovered around 25 percent, and he reiterated the warning that the tax net would be widened to cover the stock market, agriculture and other sectors. For controlling inflation he was trying to induce foreign investors and lending banks to come forward and help. As usual, he sounded greatly optimistic and told reporters he had motivated the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry to increase their investment in Pakistan to $4 billion and indicated that their problems would be solved. His talk at the FPCCI contained some important, good news for business, industry, agriculture and, indeed, the entire citizenry: the assurance that soon the shortfall of 5000MW of power would come down to 1500MW as the government made funds available to the IPI gas pipeline. Going to the root of the issue (a need for abundant and cheap power), he realised the need for hydel power projects and the Kalabagh Dam, while saying that smaller projects would also be built. Large reservoirs, among which KBD stands tall as the only perennial storage capable of generating large quantities of electricity and providing an assured supply of water, must be given top priority. While Mr Tarin seems to have quite a grasp of the hard task that lies ahead and is pointing to the right policy that should lead to its accomplishment, there are hurdles that have to be scaled. One would wish that he had done so.