Drowning in our own ineptitude

Indifference of the elected government, for whom people had struggled, inflicts more pain than inflicted by nature.

LAHORE: It is the indifference of the elected government, for whom the people had struggled, which inflicts more pain than that inflicted by nature. Had the funds allocated for irrigation canals, highways, bunds, bridges and repair of existing barrages been actually used for their intended purpose, perhaps the damage to life and property would not have been on the massive scale that we have witnessed. The role of men like Khurshid Shah or Ejaz Jhakrani — both members of the federal cabinet — is a reflection of their political leadership, for whom egos and self interest are the primary goals of being in power. Which country in the world of today, can have the misfortune to have elected leaders roam around the world, while their people face a disaster considered to be more worse than the tsunami? Mistakes can be forgiven if those who make them show remorse or regret and are brave enough to accept their errors. This regime is as bad as Musharraf's in terms of poor governance, corruption and indifference to the people.

Mir Tassadaq

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2010.