Daily Times

Sir: the 2018 elections have rejected these “electables”, most of them tyrannical feudals, jumping from one party to another, with no regard to the wishes of those who voted. People living in desperation for years can only be abused to a limit till their patience runs out.

Unfortunately elections have been marred by incompetence of ECP, but people have spoken and rejected numerous demigods. The vote for PTI is a vote for change. What Pakistan desperately needs is good governance by men and women with integrity and commitment. Mere promises of justice will no longer be able to pacify a nation which wants change to be visible.

Pakistan needs leaders with no split loyalties, and a system where merit dominates and state gives priority to human resource development, equal opportunities, justice and issues of water scarcity. Generation and efficient distribution of energy and power, with security of life and property for most deprived citizens, is an issue that must be addressed. Wastage of state resources in building islands of prosperity for paid public office holders, surrounded by oceans of depravity must cease. Priority should be for those devoid of basic needs who are deprived of health or education. Law enforcement must be restructured to nab criminals.

PTI faces many challenges in trying to curb institutionalised corruption by powerful land mafia, which occupies state and private land, not even sparing forests, posing a threat to environment and turning green agriculture land into concrete jungles where black economy is parked. Tax evasion is a crime against the state which must be dealt with an iron hand. Citizens have been deprived by the land mafia of their lifelong savings and even statutory bodies like CDA, LDA, MDA etc. and DHA Valley Islamabad are party to these daylight robberies. Every state institution must be held accountable.

ALI MALIK

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, July 29^th 2018.