Words and deeds

It would be wise to advise the ministers to talk less about superficial measures

Adviser to the PM on Media Affairs Iftikhar Durrani has claimed the government’s austerity drive across all departments is producing tremendous savings and Rs147 million have been saved from the Prime Minister’s House alone.

Any attempt at austerity should be applauded given the culture of wasteful expenditure that is pervasive across the government. The prime minister has remained a vocal critic of this culture and it is satisfying to see that his government has retained this as a priority.

Having said that, perhaps the government needs to take a step back and survey the landscape of national problems. There is a bigger picture to be seen in which some problems demand greater focus and greater priority than others.

The selling of cars and buffaloes, while important as a symbolic gesture, should not become a policy that is touted as a major success in terms of macro-deliverables.

The obsession with protocol and perks at the expense of more crucial though less visible problems is an ailment that this government needs to cure itself of as soon as possible.

The first 100 Days landmark is around the corner and the government should have something to show for its performance other than a long list of pious intentions, task forces and auctioned buffaloes. Cosmetic changes are tempting because they require minimal effort and achieve maximum visibility.

But unlike Pakistan’s problems they are skin deep. It would be wise to advise the ministers to talk less about these superficial measures and instead flesh out their plans and corresponding steps required to undertake essential reforms that will steer Pakistan out of the quagmire it finds itself in today.

Details about such reforms, whether in education or even the much-touted lack of nutrition for children, remain short on details.

Hopefully the nation will not have to wait long to find out whether this government has the capacity to match its deeds with its words.