We need to stop creating status discrimination in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Being a resident of Islamabad makes me feel that Pakistan is making progress very fast. The breathtaking beauty of the gleaming lights of metro bridges, the magnificence of Margalla Hills, the wide expressway and Kashmir highway suggest that the country is moving forward as fast as our cars on these highways. Visiting Centaurus Mall and seeing masses of people there makes one feel that our country is economically very strong. Walking on Constitution Avenue gives you a glimpse of high security. However, I would like to know if only the people living in Naval and Shaheen complexes, the presidential estate or in other posh areas deserve the luxuries and high tech life when there are people very close to us who are dying for a drop of water and a one-time meal and students searching desperately for light to have the future of their dreams.
Spending the maximum budget on the Orange Line Metro project does not justify the ignorance towards Tharparkar and other remote areas of Pakistan, which are giving way to status discrimination. Because of this, there is a huge rift between the provinces and foes are taking advantage of this.
Instead, there should be an establishment of new cities to overcome the population explosion. New industries should be installed in remote areas to overcome unemployment and the building of a government institution of high rank would also be advantageous. The people living in remote areas also deserve the basic necessities of life: pure water, electricity, education and basic healthcare facilities. We need to stop creating status discrimination in Pakistan and give others their due part in the budget. We need to unite ourselves in order to make our country progress.
Maria Sharif
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2016.
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