Daily Times

Sir: It seems that Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has kept the portfolio of foreign minister with himself so that he could spend more time abroad. There is no other country in the world, where the President or Prime Minister visit other countries so frequently. No one can imagine how much taxpayers’ money is spent on these useless foreign tours.

It is pathetic to note that half of the population in the country is living below the poverty line. The masses are deprived of even clean drinking water. Instead of spending money on public welfare projects, our honourable PM does not miss any opportunity to go out of the country to relax.

According to my assumption, it will not be less than a billion rupees that Nawaz Sharif might have spent on foreign trips in his three times premiership. How many primary schools can be built with one billion rupees? Why is people’s money not used for their welfare? Is it the only aim of politicians to rob the people of their hard earned money and then use it for personal comforts and enjoyment? I suggest that all foreign visits by the President and Prime Minister must be debated in the National Assembly and Senate and expenditure must be approved by a committee of both the houses. The allocation of a huge amount in the annual budget for these tours is unjustified. In democracy, the politicians are accountable to taxpayers.

Is there any moral justification for such foreign excursions when the country is fighting a war against terrorism?

ENGINEER S T HUSSAIN

Lahore