Self worth

The best thing to happen to us is UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash warning Pakistan of having to pay a ‘heavy price’ for taking on what he called an ‘ambiguous stand’. He added that Pakistan should take a clear position ‘in favour of its strategic relations with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council’.
If we, as a nation, had any self-respect we would have thrown away the begging bowl and learnt to stand on our feet. We can raise enough money if all companies and individuals that are liable to pay their fair share of taxes do so. We can adopt a system of meritocracy where the best person is selected for the job. Corrupt elements should be punished so that people do not have to pay for what is their right. Many of the coal, gold and copper mines that were explored years ago and are still undeveloped should be brought into production thereby generating employment opportunities and income for the nation. National projects like dams should be constructed with speed so that the benefit of cheap electricity is available to our industries and ample water is available for our agriculture. But the question remains: do we value our self-respect or does the begging bowl option sound easier?
Syed Hussein El-Edroos
Islamabad