KARACHI:
Few months back, I participated in the DMC East Karachi flower show. It was frightening to see the adoration and flattery of politicians which was unacceptable, sickening and mind-altering.
It is sad to note that the accomplished, cultured and informed man has no value in this deplorable state of affairs. Astoundingly, many scientific scholars, teachers and PhDs were in attendance, but they were extremely unattended, unnoticed and out of the spotlight. On the other hand, unenlightened politicians were the centre of attention by all and sundry. They were exorbitantly protected by the armed guards in full battle gear. Policemen were deployed to exclusively protect the politicians who were inaugurating the show.
Irony of the ironies!
Even after a passage of 75 years, we dearly cherish the legacies of colonial masters that were only subjugating, oppressing and exploiting the common citizenry and poor masses.
What a shame!
Flagrant VIP culture has caused total chaos, social cleavages, political polarisation, un-governablity, rampant corruption, and sagging economic turmoil. At present, anarchy and chaos are knocking right at our doors and we are only a step away from collapse.
When will VIP culture end in Pakistan?
This is the question I am leaving with the readers, leaders, intellectuals and policymakers who are in echelon of power.
Farooq Ahmed
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2024.
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