Whenever a country undergoes a period of economic recession, citizens automatically start cutting their superfluous expenditures, focusing only on the bare essentials yet this fundamental principle of economical spending seems to go beyond the understanding of the Sindh government, which chooses to gift fancy vehicles to its officers at a time when millions of people in the province are either hungry or homeless.
In the aftermath of this year’s elections, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will reportedly allocate Rs6.85 billion for the salaries, perks and facilities offered to provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and parliamentary secretaries at a time when, on the one hand, inflation has made it difficult for the common household to meet its daily expenses while on the other hand nearly 1.9 million flood-affected families continue to await the reconstruction of their houses.
Abdul Jabbar Abro, a resident of Larkana told the Express Tribune that his house was destroyed during the heavy rains and floods of 2022. “Even though the Sindh government had announced cash support for the rebuilding of our house, we have received no help even after the passing of two years and we continue to be homeless,” lamented Abro.
Unfortunately, millions of flood victims like Abro would have to abandon their hopes of a new home anytime shortly considering the Sindh government’s recent decision to provide more than 111 officials with brand new 1800 cc cars alongside other benefits like petrol allowances and free air tickets.
According to Qurban Baloch, a senior analyst and parliamentary affairs expert from Sindh, the purpose of this action of the Sindh government is to reward and secure the allegiances of politicians associated with the ruling party. “Such a situation is seen not only in Sindh but also in other provinces. Many years ago, competition between political parties was based on performance, but now the situation has completely changed. All efforts of the political parties in power now focus on keeping their patrons satisfied,” assessed Baloch.
Concurring with Baloch, Dr Murtaza Khuhro, an economist and former bureaucrat termed these expenses 'non-essential’. “The elected government should prioritize the welfare and uplifting of people residing in the underdeveloped areas of the province. Non-essential spending should wait until the living standards of residents in these areas improve,” instructed Dr Khuhro.
It should be noted that like other assembly members, the provincial ministers, and advisers are given a monthly salary of Rs150,000 in addition to other benefits by the Sindh Assembly. Similarly, the parliamentary secretaries of the Sindh Assembly and chairmen of the standing committees are also given cars from the respective departments and the Sindh Assembly apart from a monthly salary of Rs150,000 among other benefits. Moreover, as members of the Sindh Assembly, all provincial ministers, parliamentary secretaries, and chairmen of standing committees are given unlimited medical coverage, annual free air tickets, session allowances, and travel allowances. During the sessions of the Sindh Assembly, each MPA also gets an additional session allowance of Rs5000 per day.
Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, the spokesperson of the Sindh government maintained,” All the privileges that are being given to ministers, advisors, and parliamentary secretaries are being provided as per the prevailing rules and regulations, which have been in place for the last five years. However, the Sindh government will try to minimize these expenditures as much as possible.”
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