Daily Times

Sir: The PTI is staging a sit in to stop NATO supplies in reaction to the drone attack on a religious seminary in Hangu. The attack was the first of its kind since the introduction of drones in the war on terror. Drone attacks have always created controversy in Pakistan and, in principle, must be stopped. Despite a consensus among all political parties on stopping them, successive Pakistani governments since 2004 have not been able to find any solution to this problem. The present federal and provincial governments have time and again criticised the attacks and have openly termed the attacks as a violation of national sovereignty. The Pakistani media is taking the issue to the streets. Beyond all the discussions on drones, the common man in Pakistan is facing the harsh realities of rising inflation, price hikes, electricity shortage, gas load shedding, corruption and a poor healthcare system. How relevant is the issue of NATO supplies when mere survival is quite the task for a commoner? The state is crumbling under the pressure of our fast growing population, state institutions are weakening by the day and the capacity issue has made institutions less effective.

Political interference in the state machinery has actually promoted nepotism. International organisations are putting up alarming statistics in regards to socioeconomic indicators in Pakistan. The Supreme Court (SC), every other day, hears cases of institutional corruption. Society is divided on ethnic and religious lines. The role of the state as education provider has been greatly reduced by the religious seminaries. In the light of countless issues and challenges, the ordinary citizen cannot be thinking of drones. Political populism may give some political mileage to the PTI but at what price? The people of Pakistan clearly manifested their will in the May 11 elections this year in an effort to eradicate corruption, improve the security situation in general, provide jobs, educate the youth and provide healthcare facilities to the masses. Present day Pakistan’s problem is not drones; it is actually a better life quality. The strength of the country lies in economic self-reliance. This will initiate the real collective good, which all parties should work for.

MALIK ATIF MAHMOOD MAJOKA

Melbourne,

Australia