KARACHI:
Although our politicians regularly claim they are better than those in opposition and vice versa, they must realise that they are all chips of the same block. All have been accused of scams, scandals, and shady practices to come and stay in power. When Imran Khan was in power, the opposition raised a hue and cry about inflation and heavily criticized his huge cabinet.
Interestingly, after coming to power, the all-knowing Shehbaz Sharif has not only utterly failed to curb inflation or save the dwindling economy but has also expanded his cabinet to a level never seen before. With an entourage of more than ninety ministers and special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs), the government still is unable to perform on any front. It is shameful that a country that is literally begging its way through the crisis has a such big cabinet with more than twenty ministers and SAPMs enjoying perks without any portfolio assigned.
For a country on the brink of an economic collapse, the government’s behaviour is criminal. Just like his predecessor, it appears that the sole purpose of the cabinet members is to defend the directionless policies of the PDM government rather than doing something for the betterment of the people. With the country devastated by floods and the economy at its knees, our politicians are busy fixing blame and throwing dirt on their opponents. I wish and pray that our political elite finds some empathy for the people and starts working for the country instead of themselves.
Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2022.
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