The day Pakistan test fired the Shaheen-III ballistic missile, capable to carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 2750 KM, another news item caught my sight. 41 million people in Pakistan have no access to toilets and have to defecate in open spaces. Statistics from across the border are not much different: in India more than 630 million people face the same agony – no closed toilets. As both countries take pride in showing off their nuclear arsenal; I wonder what our political leadership’s real priorities are. As per infographic created by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists; Pakistan has 120 nuclear weapons while its arch rival, India, is not far behind with 110 such weapons.
Why is it so that the people who vote and install their rulers in Islamabad and Delhi, are the one to be always at the receiving end without any hope of improvement in their lives? It doesn’t matter if it’s BJP, Congress, Peoples Party, Muslim League, or army (in Pakistan’s perspective) are at the helm of affairs in these countries, the end result remains the same – both the general public and its rulers live in separate worlds. What sort of harms and diseases are associated with public defecating need not much elaboration. Many rapes and sexual harassment related incidents were reported in India due to vulnerability of women folk while going out, especially in the rural areas. Democracy shall mean a governing system by the people, for the people but perhaps ruling class doesn’t fall under ‘people’ category.
What should our priorities be: increasing the stockpiles of already overflowing nuclear and conventional weapons and keep spending billions on motorways, or should we be providing health care, education, clean water, sanitation, food security, law and order? As in personal life rulers don’t have to worry about these ‘poor-public’ type issues, therefore, they enjoy doing big things which can make headlines.
Who says democracy is by the people, for the people?
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
That doesn't make sense because there is a difference between social and defence development. The defence department is just using its own funds allotted to them. Problem lies in political elites and if these weapons have not been developed we Pakistani's must have not been living this peaceful life fearless from any external threat. These weaposn development are necessary for the survival of our nation from any aggression taken against Pakistan.
@author…its quite eazy to sit in Saudi Arabia and then criticize the Pakistan…Why don't you come back to Pakistan and spend life with all these issues you cited in your opinion…stop living that lavish life..live the life of a common man and then blame the government. Human security and state security are two different domains if Pakistan would not have developed its nuclear and missile capabilities then probably till now Pakistan would have been thrashed out by the India and other foreign elements Defense preparation and nuclear capability is as much important as human security.. But the people like sitting in Saudi Arabia settled abroad can only criticize.. We are really proud of the fact Pakistan is a nuclear weapon state and can better respond to any foreign aggression.
I feel wrought up when people ask what is the use of being a military power when people are dying of poverty. It is a fact that social development should be the first and primary focus but cutting down on our defence budget is not the answer. We have to understand that Pakistan’s economic deprivation is not because of its defence spending but that these weapons are the source that provides channels to take economic strides and develop.
I wonder at those who corelate domestic issues with defence. Unfortunately, such people blame Pakistan's defense program for no good reasons. Pakistan from very beginning faced various threats from its adversaries. Pakistan was not the First country to start nuclear program rather it was forced to do that. Our every action is actually reaction towards Indian threats. We have fragile border and most importantly our adversaries are in race to destabilize Pakistan internally. Yet we blame our defense expenditures.
The sriber raises a good point. There are no public toilets in India and Pakistan. I think people are used to perform these needs in the open with impunity ir any shame. No stigma is attached to it. They stand against the wall in the running streets and urinate ir defecate at will in the open areas.
We see walls soaked in urine., and defaced with filthy writings. People enjoy this luxury and freedom to express their desire in a vulgar manner. This i their hobby and pass time routine. God bless Pakistan. This does not mean democracy's definition has changed. Setting the priorities is the function of the government. People elect the rulers, and leave it to them to perform according to their capability. Next time elect your representatives, who are consideratye , honest, and sensitive to the real issues and concerns of the people
Country 's defense is paramount. We can not cut down on our defense needs. If the country exists then we can think about toilets or other sanitary issues. Comparing defense with erecting publis toilets is extremely stupid thought. It does not bear any semblance with sane arguments.
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