Napolean’s pharmacy

Dictators like Napoleon realised that water, air and a clean environment were the main ingredients of human existence. Our own first dictator probably drew inspiration from Napoleon’s quote that ‘water, air and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy’ and constructed two mega dams – Mangla and Tarbela – without which large parts of Punjab would have turned into a Thar-like desert.
In contrast, our current rulers seem to be oblivious to the basic needs of clean drinking water and clean air. This is evident from their desire to construct motorways, highways, flyovers, run metro buses and distribute laptops for their own glory. They are keen to cater to the needs of the rich and powerful than fulfilling the basic needs of the poor. Projects like these not only divert funds that can better be utlised on ensuring the provision of clean water and healthcare facilities to the masses, but also erode into green belts, taking away the little bit of greenery that we have left. The havoc wrought by the recent rains in Rawalpindi is one example of such misguided priorities. It is time our rulers, media, intellectuals, scholars, architects and all others who matter came up with a comprehensive solution to avoid disasters like heatwaves, cold spells and floods.
Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad