Half-hearted promises
July 05, 2006
Inaugurating the renovation of Daman-e-Koh Margalla Hills, the president once again was heard reiterating his promise of seeing to it that the economy's benefit reach the common man. It is not understandable which common man he was referring to. Those who attended the function, or those who already enjoyed recreational facilities in their luxury cars on the Islamabad highways? Or those who were watching dance and listening to ghazals after overeating in Melody food park and other luxury restaurants?
No doubt tourism as an industry is necessary and one need not object to tourist resorts being built wherever necessary to attract foreign tourists and earn foreign exchange. But some attention must be paid to the general public, which lives in squalor. They are crying for pure drinking water and find it difficult to buy consumer goods. Quality education remains a dream for them, health facilities are beyond their reach and they feel insecure in their houses. The bureaucracy has been politicised and there is political bickering there. There are groups and lobbies and officers are working for those lobbies. Some intrigue and conspiracy is also visible among bureaucrats to capture lucrative posts and to achieve their ulterior motives.
The president is a leader and a leader's job is to lead and persuade people to accept his own point of view rather than to be led by them. People are now complaining about their agonies and grievances and are losing confidence in his assurances.
Things are not what they seem to the president or as they are presented to him. Strict vigilance is necessary over the activities of those entrusted with monitoring.
Raja Shafaat Ullah
Islamabad
No doubt tourism as an industry is necessary and one need not object to tourist resorts being built wherever necessary to attract foreign tourists and earn foreign exchange. But some attention must be paid to the general public, which lives in squalor. They are crying for pure drinking water and find it difficult to buy consumer goods. Quality education remains a dream for them, health facilities are beyond their reach and they feel insecure in their houses. The bureaucracy has been politicised and there is political bickering there. There are groups and lobbies and officers are working for those lobbies. Some intrigue and conspiracy is also visible among bureaucrats to capture lucrative posts and to achieve their ulterior motives.
The president is a leader and a leader's job is to lead and persuade people to accept his own point of view rather than to be led by them. People are now complaining about their agonies and grievances and are losing confidence in his assurances.
Things are not what they seem to the president or as they are presented to him. Strict vigilance is necessary over the activities of those entrusted with monitoring.
Raja Shafaat Ullah
Islamabad
