Pakistan’s first military dictator, Ayub Khan, spent millions in advertising his so-called ‘Decade of Reforms’ which illustrated an over-indulgence that only hastened his departure from the corridors of power. His efforts were then aptly nicknamed Decadence of Reforms. Unfortunately, it seems that no one in Pakistan is willing to learn from that history.
In the name of prosperity, state funds are being allotted for populist projects like the Youth Laptop Scheme, when they should be invested in human resource development and skills enhancement. Pakistan is in dire need of projects that generate employment, uplift the education and healthcare sectors and boost the economy. Initiatives like the Punjab Vocational Training Institute, which coaches children from lower-income families in employable skills for their permanent rehabilitation, should be promoted.
Instead of facilitating schemes that are transparent in their purpose of propagating a certain good-willed image of individuals, the government should acknowledge that there is a need for intellectual investment, such as the promotion of STEM-based training and research.
In any case, state-funded overexposure of individuals is reminiscent of dictatorial and fascist regimes and, therefore, has no place in a democracy. Taxpayers’ money should be treated with caution — for the betterment of society rather than promoting the government.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
