An appeal for sanity

An appeal for sanity

We, as citizens who are unflinchingly committed to the wellbeing of Pakistan and deeply invested in a fair, tolerant and egalitarian society, appeal to all those responsible for running this country to demonstrate prudence, sanity and economy as we pass through these difficult times of political transition.

The lopsided royal distribution of state resources to an already rich and pampered class, can only be perceived as blatant voter appeasement schemes. The recent allocation of Rs2.3 billion for purchase of new cars for Punjab bureaucrats and hurried allocation of Rs90 billion discretionary funds to parliamentarians coming at a time when our nation is reeling under a grave financial crisis, defy all frontiers of reason and proportion. These decision calls for an immediate reversal. It is actions like these that have made a beggar out of our country and paupers out of our people.

We believe that Pakistan has become hostage to an elite class unwilling to let go of its disproportionate benefits, perks, privileges, official vehicles, TV screens in offices, free fuel, free electricity, security escorts, arms licenses and numerous other self-awarded allowances. We appeal for a complete withdrawal of all these discriminatory entitlements. Pakistan will prosper only when we stop pampering our rich and begin caring for the most downtrodden, exploited and marginalised.

Javed Jabbar, Senator (r ) Former Federal Minister

Kaleem Ullah Khan, Ex Information Commissioner, KPK

Minhaj Qidwai, Physician

Mushtaq K. Chhapra, Director TCF

Naeem Sadiq Member, ‘Justice for the Voiceless’

Raza Gardezi, Civil rights activist

Sarah Ali Khan Member, ‘Justice for the Voiceless’

Zaheer Alam Kidvai, Citizen