Acquisition of arms licences by the PM, other dignitaries speaks volumes of the huge rift between words and actions
KARACHI: We, as members of ‘Citizens Against Weapons’, working for a peaceful and weapon-free Pakistan, are deeply dismayed at the reports about the prime minister and other members of the ruling elite acquiring arms licences for themselves. We strongly condemn and protest against the acquisition of weapons by those who are themselves responsible for putting an end to weapons and militancy in Pakistan.
The fact that the arms licences were acquired by the prime minister, the president’s son, as well as other members of the elite speaks volumes about the hypocrisy and dichotomy between the words and actions of the ruling class. These are the same people who receive obscenely disproportionate security from the state. Billions of rupees from taxpayers’ money and thousands of policemen are dedicated to protecting this class. Their mania for weapons, therefore, defies all reason and sanity. Mr prime minister, your actions make it difficult for people to believe in your seriousness about much-needed peace and de-weaponisation in Pakistan. We urge you to understand the implication of your actions; be a role model, give up your weapons, and ask your colleagues to do the same. There must be no doubt in the minds of Pakistanis that you are genuinely a peace-loving prime minister of Pakistan.
Naeem Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2015.
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