Sir: It is said that we get the leadership we deserve. Pakistan is a living example of conventional wisdom. Our government has proved itself the biggest failure in terms of administration, politics, social sectors and above all disaster management.
Take, for example, the issue of monsoon floods that have been destroying our crops, villages and roads since 2010. Pakistan’s recent floods inflicted a loss of $ 9.5 billion to property, crops and infrastructure and have so far killed 169 people. Every year, it is the same story. The monsoon rains come as scheduled and wreak havoc everywhere. One would think that a country that faces the same situation every year would take some precautionary measures against it. Such is not the case in Pakistan. First of all, the media shows water 24/7, and then the leaders in their posh cars and helicopters arrive to assess the damage. They shed crocodile tears on the turmoil of victims and satisfy themselves by distributing food items among them, instead of preparing them for the calamity beforehand. The sad reality is that building dams and strengthening barrages do not bring in votes at the time of elections.
Elections in Pakistan are another mind-boggling matter. If elections are challenged anywhere in the world they would be duly investigated, but not in Pakistan. Here the government plays hide and seek with the issue. The opposition tried every door in the end they had no choice but to stage a sit-in. People were excited that a change was underway. Alas the longest sit-in in the history of Pakistan came to nothing. What a waste of time and money! The opposition no doubt has the right to challenge the government, but for how long? How long will the battle be waged? When will our leaders realise that the people do not want to see them bickering on the small screen. They want the government to ensure basic human rights of every citizen. They must be provided safe drinking water, electricity, health, education facilities and a peaceful political and social environment in which they can live and prosper.
People in Pakistan do not want scandals, riots, traffic jams, power outages and floods. It is high time that our leaders and politicians took their responsibility seriously and stop acting like spoiled brats.
AYESHA MALIK
Rawalpindi