Koi Sharm Hoti Hai, Koi Haya Hoti Hai!
At the height of the Pakistan-Afghan war, the Iran-Israel conflict, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis, only a few notice the silent, undeclared war on the poor. For the world’s fifth-most populous country, with 259.3 million people, nearly half of whom are now considered poor, the Rs. 55-per-liter increase in fuel prices was just another routine move for the ruling class. Clearly, public interest was once again shamelessly sacrificed to placate the oil mafia and meet FBR’s formidable tax collection targets. And of course, those in power are enjoying their rule to the fullest, with no opposition or public backlash in sight. At this miserable time, when an ordinary person is struggling to get a proper meal a day, in stark contrast, a luxury vehicle worth Rs. 90 million is being bought for the Senate chairman from the Senate’s budget, as well as the purchase of a luxury 19-seater aircraft costing Rs. 11.7 billion for Her Highness Punjab’s CM tells a different story. In the name of life, the general people, by and large, are dragging their hand-to-mouth existence every day, while the ruling elite is busy making the most of state freebies as their birthright. One wonders if they really have a word called ‘morality’ in their dictionaries.
Austerity For You, Luxury For Me!
True leadership demands leading by example, not by exception. Pakistan government preaches austerity measures, including shorter workdays, school closures, fuel conservation, and the like. In marked contrast, VIP convoys roll on, government petrol flows freely, elite privileges remain untouched, and the prime minister, by himself, is always found to be on a foreign tour. Citizens endure inflation, power cuts, and rising costs with quiet patience. But patience has limits. If sacrifice is truly national, it must begin at the top, not be reserved exclusively for the bottom. A government that demands belt-tightening from the poor while protecting the perks of the powerful is not practicing austerity but hypocrisy.
After 25 years of Waiting... Still Waiting
The term ‘rebuilding’ was repeatedly used by the Pakistan Cricket Board gurus following Pakistan’s defeat in the 1999 Cricket World Cup final against Australia. After Pakistan’s recent premature exit from the T20 World Cup in February, the notion of ‘rebuilding’ has reemerged with significant urgency. Given the frustration with an ongoing process that has persisted for over 25 years, we anticipate that this rebuilding effort will ultimately bear fruit. Best of luck, Pakistan cricket!
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