Whither austerity

Words literally fail to measure up to the blatancy with which the Sindh government has indulged in extravagance from the public exchequer to cater to its luxuries – while the masses continue to resort to belt-tightening so as to help the rulers pursue their policy of macro-economic stability and avert a looming default on the country's financial obligations. The purchase of as many as 35 ultra-luxurious four wheelers at a staggering cost of Rs526 million for the Sindh province's top bureaucrats – inexplicably referred to as public servants – to perform their duties with the ease and style that must align with their position is appalling, to say the very least. One wonders how a little less luxurious vehicle would deter our commissioners and their deputies from public service.

In awful contrast, these very rulers are never tired of preaching the public on the merits of simplicity and austerity. While themselves indulging in unnecessary spending with reckless abandon, they are never short of valuable suggestions for the masses on how to make ends meet within their limited income. Taking one roti instead of two would not just be light on the pocket, but healthy too. What can't we sacrifice just one meal a day for the sake of our country? Better avoid sugar – the white poison – if it's not affordable! Such golden words keeping coming every now and then from our rulers in the form of precious advices to the public whose large part has already fallen down the poverty line and cannot afford the luxury of two square meals a day.

Preaching austerity and committing extravagance is what our ruling class is all about. It's time for them to stop preying on public money and be its guardians, true to their oath as public servants.