Daily Times

The unanimous and quick decision by members of the Punjab Assembly to increase their perks and salaries by a great margin is quite unsurprising. Such a move was widely expected given how politicians are often found to be looking after self-interests in most parts of the world.

The exponential increase gives them benefits that were previously found in major corporate houses. But then again, the state is neither a corporate nor a private enclosure where one rules on their whims and wishes.

Those who came to power with a promise of meaningful change have certainly backtracked on the much-hyped austerity drive. With the economy in shambles, was it really necessary for such exorbitant measures? Most certainly not!

The slogan of Naya Pakistan is turning out to be a mere populist approach. There’s no point in keep high promises when certain objectives can’t be duly achieved. In other words, the PTI has remained true to its cause of taking U-turns.

Indeed, the coalition government in Punjab can’t be entirely blamed since other parties such as the PML-N jumped in as well in joining the chorus for self-interests.

The state is suffering from numerous issues on domestic fronts which include lack of infrastructural development, inadequate quality of health and education in the public sector, soaring crime rates and a never-ending bureaucratic red-tape that has hijacked the state’s machinery.

In such a scenario, legislators should have thought a hundred times before looking after their own interests. Sadly, it might take years to realise this since traditional politics in this country is devoid of farsighted vision and oversight to a great extent.

Parliamentarians should introspect their actions and focus on key issues facing the country. Not only this but all provincial legislators across Pakistan should collectively work to resolve issues faced by the public and listen to their constituents on a regular basis instead of disappearing for prolonged periods. While soaring costs and debts have indeed led to income inequality, burdening the public sector with financial constraints is an ill-advised policy across the political spectrum.

The state’s survival on external loans and lack of substantial foreign direct investment is an ominous sign for economic instability. Perhaps, the decision to increase salaries and perks should be reviewed and sanctioned funds should be redirected for the public’s welfare. *

Published in Daily Times, March 15^th 2019.