Everyone in power picks up buzzwords. It seems that, on becoming PM, Imran Khan has added to his list ‘austerity’ alongside his seasoned favourite ‘corruption’. A laudable end by all standards and he has won some appreciation from many quarters. He has begun his austerity drive by deciding not to occupy the huge and ostentatious PM House and live at his own address. All governors, CMs, and others are expected to follow suit. All these ostentatious, huge, luxurious buildings will be used for some other purpose, perhaps research of some kind. Let us review this decision dispassionately.
There is absolutely no disputing the fact that each one of these accommodations is huge, ostentatious and luxurious far beyond belief and requirement; and yet, some preceding idiot has already had these constructed. They cannot be unmade now. Also that, our leaders occupying such accommodations set poor examples. The flip side is that, despite the foregoing, these serve a purpose. All these are secure, bomb proof buildings and, most importantly, they have space for “camp offices”.
Camp offices are now frequently utilized in routine evening or night work, like studies. These are actually intended as a secure and readily available office at hand during emergencies; with office space for all officers and staff the office holder (OH) might be in need of. They also provide residential accommodation for the support staff that the OH’s house needs on daily bases.
So, what is going to happen now? All these OHs will need some space to work at night or in late evenings. This space will either be found under ad hoc arrangements or alternative accommodation will have to be found and constructed, or they will repeatedly commute back and forth from home to office, until hit by an emergency. Every alternative arrangement for camp offices will cost the exchequer. Permanent commuting will take not only time, but also cause a more frequent disruption of traffic. Just for the gesture?
And, what about security? Security of all these OHs and their staff? Will they all occupy non-bomb-proof accommodation? And how will ordinary citizens gain access to the facilities in former PM and CM Houses, located where they are?
Another subject that has come under debate is the use of personal helicopters. Indeed all of these OHs, military or civilian do not need helicopters or even fixed-wing aircrafts at their permanent disposal. But some actually do. Others could hire these when required rather than possessing these on a permanent bases. The army chief is at a post which deals with emergent situations and has a fleet of helicopters in the army aviation. But CMs, not necessarily the PM need helicopters.
Imran Khan you are the Prime Minister now. Set to rule for five years. Do something concrete. Don’t just sit majestically making empty gestures. Those who wanted you here; thought you were our political Messiah. If you can’t get there, try getting as close to it as you possibly can
Imagine the frequency with which CMs have to visit all corners of their province, even if there isn’t an emergency. And imagine the time it would take them to travel all corners if they traveled by road. Balochistan has the largest land mass but, none of the other provinces have short distances to travel. Nor are all our roads easy to travel on. Consider the loss of time, the inconvenience to other ordinary commuters, and the fatigue of frequent travel for them in performing their duty? Doesn’t it seem sheer irrationality to deprive them of the most convenient travel mode, merely for a gesture?
I really don’t understand why IK the PM found it necessary to apologize for using a helicopter to go home or why the Information Minister needed to quote the cost per km of his travel? It’s the media’s job to raise such issues. If ignored they die; if offered silly explanations for them, they become increasingly controversial. He has one, he needed to go home, and he was tired or did not wish to disrupt traffic and went by the chopper. So what?
If you really want to demonstrate austerity, let me make some constructive suggestions. First pay taxes. Not like the paltry Rs 76,000 annually that you paid a couple of years ago, as reported in our dailies, but genuine taxes. In terms of monetary wealth, I am a very ordinary man but even I paid much more. Make all elected personnel pay taxes and report these in the press. Reduce the non-taxable perks and allowances that parliamentarians grant themselves, every year.
Reduce the number of vehicles and ration the petrol provided on the government expense to all parliamentarians and OHs. And, why can’t they be provided vehicles produced in Pakistan? Surely, these can also be made bomb proof here. I know some retired generals who had their vehicles bomb-proofed locally. Why must the taxpayer pay for luxurious bullet proof vehicles and their fuel to retired OHs?
I could actually just go on and on. I know that the point has been made to those who might read this but, I am also aware that mine is an exercise in futility and Imran Khan will never read this nonsense and, if someone draws his attention to it for laughs, he will ignore it.
Anyway, I felt like writing this, so I have. Let me conclude by telling you, Imran Khan our PM, you are no longer seeking third umpire assistance. The votes are in. All umpires, including the match referee, have ruled. YOU are the PM now. Set to rule for five years. Do something concrete. Don’t just sit majestically making empty gestures. Those who wanted you here; thought you were our political Messiah. If you can’t get there, try getting as close to it as you possibly can.
The writer is a retired brigadier. He is also former vice president and founder of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)
Published in Daily Times, September 9th 2018.