It would be better if the Election Commission were to legalise political donations.
LAHORE: There was a time when politicians used to go around the country by rail; now they go on private or chartered jets, paid for by tycoons involved in real estate, sugar, banking, cement and energy. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The fleet of expensive bullet-proof limousines for the senior functionaries of the state is paid for by taxpayers’ funds.
For that simple reason, it would be better if the Election Commission were to legalise political donations. At least, that way corporations and other interested parties or individuals could give funds directly to the political party of their choice instead of hard-earned taxpayers’ money being used for the purpose. This would also eliminate any foreign funding of our political parties, either by governments or NGOs.
Malik Tariq Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.
