Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has decided to take back privileges from public-sector employees. The decision was taken during a special cabinet meeting in Islamabad on June 20.
The privileges include free electricity, free air tickets, rebates in gas bills and free telephone calls. PIA employees will not be able to enjoy the privilege of free tickets. We can merely express shock over the said unwise decision of the cabinet as such facilities are extended to the employees of various organisations throughout the world.
Since all International Air Transport Association member airlines have already agreed to extend free passage facilities to the employees of member airlines throughout the world for the last many decades, violating its rules would create a bad name for Pakistan internationally.
Previously, the same cabinet had decided to increase the price of postal envelope from Rs 4 to 8 without considering that poor people are using the said facility whereas the ex-military dictator General (retd) Musharraf did not dare increase its price during his nine-year long tenure.
I suggest that PM Gilani starts good work from his home. All facilities extended to him and his family members should be surrendered voluntarily, including free air travel facility, domestic and abroad, and free accommodation. He should pay all expenditures from his own pocket and set an example for others.
MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL
Karachi