Daily Times

Sir: Given the onslaught of vicious allegations and counter allegations by the politically driven social media cells of contesting political parties, as well as the manner in which a few politicians resort to compulsive abusive language, it would be advisable to ensure that mandatory drug tests for consumption of cocaine, heroin or anti-depressant drugs be made compulsory for all all the people that are attempting to hold a constitutional public office.

After all, no sane person would ever consider it appropriate to have an alcoholic or heroin addict sitting in the top seat at the President, Prime Minister or Chief Minister House, nor be a Speaker or member of cabinet either. I would also like to take this opportunity to point out that Pakistan’s sovereignty stands compromised, in spite of our nuclear deterrence and security apparatus, because economically we are slaves to international financial institutions.

Our elected and paid ruling elite lead ostentatious and opulent lifestyles at the taxpayer’s account, which cannot even be dreamed by their likes in the developed world.

Economic constraints and ill-advised priorities have resulted in hardly any substantial rise in government owned subsidized schools, colleges, hospitals in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad etc. to cater for the rise in population, while number of Golf courses built on land given at subsidized rates for use by non-taxpaying elite has risen.

If only the Election Commission of Pakistan would have dared to scrutinize nomination forms of contestants, in accordance with the State Bank and FBR list of Bank Loan Defaulters, Tax Evasion, money laundering etc; Pakistan would not have been in such a critical, and near collapse, economic state.

As long as the Land mafia and big contractors continue to exercise their influence on political parties and their leaders through massive funding and offering them executive jets etc, Pakistan will continue to suffer at the hands of economic terrorists who have harmed this country more than our known external enemies.

TARIQ ALI MALIK

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, July 22^nd 2018.