Have those in power – the ones sitting on chairs of authority – ever thought about the purpose for which they received this power and responsibility? Yesterday they were nameless; no one knew them, and when they step down from the seat of power, neither will anyone care about them nor will they be remembered – unless their actions have done good for many people. Why are people chosen as public representatives? If they remain confined to their constituencies and treat public funds as their own, spending them on themselves, then they have no right to sit in those seats. Under the NFC each province retains its powers and has full authority to use its resources. So if Punjab is spending its budget on its own people, that is praiseworthy. The political leaders of Sindh should implement development projects for their areas, and they ought to acknowledge their own shortcomings and incompetence and say, “Yes, we did not correctly address the public’s problems; we will correct our mistakes and carry our people’s projects through to completion.” But a strange kind of fighting has started among everyone, as if they are not servants of the Pakistani people but monarchs. If people speak up for their rights, they are not even allowed to voice them. People suffer terribly, and seeing the indifference of this otherworldly political class, they are furious.
No travel facilities, Karachi’s roads are not in order, public transport is inadequate, people’s lives and property are not safe – in such a situation the city’s public representatives and those in high authority do not even stir. The people of the province will, in turn, subject them to criticism; any witnessing eye will hold them accountable. Karachi is a business city, the largest taxpayer city in all Pakistan; it plays a motherly role for the whole nation. While a few elites benefit from its tax money, the noble citizens’ rights are neglected. Politicians should look into the mirror instead of blaming others – why should they even be reminded of their responsibilities? It would be astonishing to the public. A stone dropped in that city’s waters from Punjab woke the people of Sindh and Karachi.
Clean, decent housing, excellent roads, modern travel facilities, relief from environmental pollution, attractive commercial centers, and protection of life and property – these are the rights of Karachi and every village in Sindh. If people demand rights, those in power should provide them. If they cannot do better work, then give the youth a chance so that with their best energies and healthy minds and positive outlook they can serve the public. The Chief Minister of Punjab is working day
and night for the improvement of her province with her own resources, and her work appears to be carried out urgently and effectively. Society is not blind; it can see the Punjab that has been beautified, nor is it insensitive to the sense of governance that the Chief Minister of Punjab is showing toward her people.
It is true and visible: the Chief Minister of Sindh is also an extremely good person. Whoever sits on the seat of authority should act as a father to all, monitor everyone’s work regardless of political affiliation, and complete welfare projects for the people. This is not such a difficult task that everyone starts quarreling at a little criticism. Have they all forgotten that they are there to serve the people? Why this “he said, she said” – “why did he say that, why did she say this, will this be done, will that be done”? If everyone truly has the strength they claim, then come – fix all the roads, abandon hypocrisy, provide clean water to all. Developed countries have done wonders: they made sea water usable for human needs with modern technology. Turn arid Sindh into green fields and make the barren deserts bloom. Stop the wastage of river water in Sindh, repair the canal systems, and through those canals promote agriculture and greenery. Bestow modern facilities on Sindh in memory of the late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto; if you do this, you will be fulfilling a duty and will be returning a debt to Shaheed BB. By performing your public duties, Bilawal and Asifa’s future is also connected; otherwise, the incompetence and neglect of a few have already dimmed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s popularity among the public. Instead of hurling accusations at one another, exercise wisdom and devote yourselves to the genuine happiness of serving the people.
Otherwise – fighting and fighting, neither the beak nor the tail will remain; in short, nothing worthwhile will be left.
The post Lay down the fighting and solve the people’s problems appeared first on The Financial Daily.
