Daily Times

Sir: Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Were he a Pakistani, he would have swirled and swooned in his grave to see life-like caricature of his dictum here.

Manifestos are fanciful mementos, eclectic product of religious dictates and fancy provisions in our constitution. They have short life of one-political term unless truncated by praetorians. Article 37 of our constitution relates to `Promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils’. Clause 37 (e): provides `reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals…’ (differentials of wealth of an ordinary citizen and a politician?). Article 38 is about `Promotion of social and economic well-being of the people’.

Clause (d) directs `provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief, for all such citizens, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, as are permanently or temporarily unable to earn their livelihood on account of infirmity, sickness or unemployment’ (what about others who work without enough money to make ends meet or get medical treatment?). What about across-the-board accountability?

What medical relief for me, a septuagenarian Grade 19 federal government servant who retired after 39 years’ service? I was thrice advised operation for removal of gallstones by surgeons Taseer, panel of IU Baig (Head Surgery) and his associate surgeon M Kashif Khan at my ‘entitled’ Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad. I underwent a long list of pre-operation fitness tests thrice, including fitness by Anaesthetic Department (Dr Humaira). Dr Baig even admitted me into the Ward. But, the promised operation was never performed, risking my life. Could our Chief Justice take notice of this documented case of negligence, and punish the guilty surgeons? Would the doctors have not done operation if I had paid private fees?

Let the voter know how parties would enforce accountability across the board. How would they provide healthcare for neglected patients like me, and the man in the street (out of total federal PDSP of Rs 800 million and Rs 850 million for all the four provinces)?

AMJED JAAVED

Rawalpindi

Published in Daily Times, June 30^th 2018.