Our political leaders, when out of power, condemn ostentatious and luxurious way of living and vow to purge society from this evil. However, when they get a chance they break all records of spending on superfluities. The PPP premiere in 2008 while getting vote of confidence declared on the floor of the House a 40% cut on expenditure of his house. He also announced that he would launch a saving drive and invest money in the national kitty, restrict his ministers to the use of 1,000cc vehicle, cut the size of his government, and reduce spending for economic growth. Mian Nawaz Sharif during his first stint as prime minister introduced a very useful and attractive scheme called ‘Qarz utaro, mulk suwaro’, people wholeheartedly donated to this scheme but it was left halfway. And in 2011 he expressed his desire to serve from a modest house if elected for the third time.
Both the prime ministers could not keep their words and failed to deliver as promised. The PPP premiere instead of saving money for economic growth wasted it on purchase of energy savers to be distributed to favourites. Other promises mischievously smile on them. The current chief executive forgot and forsake his desire of simple living (modest house) and is spending five million on construction of 0.5km long and 30ft wide road — hassle free — from gate number three of his office to helipad located in President House (Express Tribune). It appears our leaders have not abandoned their habits to display show of wealth on borrowed money. The prime minister is requested to use his own experience and wisdom to resolve complex issues of energy, health, education, law and order, people sufferings instead of relying on the briefing of his ministers and advisers who dare not speak other than what prime minister wants to listen. The media needs to focus and highlight the wrong doings of government functionaries and also give space to public letters.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
