Bleak future

This refers to the editorial, ‘Out of food’ (March 15). The editorial has rightly pointed out that food shortage and famine are two key challenges facing the country. But it is hard to believe that: “The billions of dollars required are simply not there”, as the editorial puts it. The issue is that we have misplaced priorities and investing our resources on unimportant projects. Billions of dollars are being spent to build Metro Bus projects, Orange Line Train and motorways that are not important when we imagine the famine-like situation that demands urgent planning. It is strange that we have no funds to ensure food security and building new dams. Billions more are wasted through corrupt deals, kickbacks and commissions.

We have no dearth of resources. The need is to set our priorities right. For that, we need honest and sincere leadership who understand the pain and suffering of the downtrodden and the underprivileged. Our problem is that the existing leadership is incapable of, and has no interest in, addressing critical issues being faced by the nation. Yes, a bleak future awaits us.

Kulsoom Arif

Karachi