"Gilani's Extravagance"

Mr. Jinnah, our founding father 

Wisdom tells us leaders depict the present and carve the future of a country’s destiny. Sensibly, acting as those who “lead” when they know all their stakes lie in their country of birth they take the reins of bandwagon in their hands and try to steer it clear of puddles, bumps, speed-breakers etc. so that the journey in their time of delivery is as smooth for the passengers as possible. If such is the case then Pakistan seems to be in the hands of very incompetent, highly irresponsible, extravagant, greedy people who call themselves “leaders” of this nation. For the ride they have given to the citizens of this country has been rocky, bumpy, and steep with rash turns speedy curves which are now coming to a complete breakdown!

With the crumbling economy, national treasury on aid, almost a shutdown of major public organizations in the country, price hikes, widespread poverty, industrial units almost shut, electricity shortage, gas inadequate, unemployment, zero incentives, no foresight, corruption at its record high since the birth of Pakistan, favoritism of nincompoops at its peak; a common Pakistani wonders at the blatant audacity with which the rulers thump their chests and claim they have the peoples vote, they are doing “justice” to those who gave them their years of honor and swimming in perks. Claims of this Government in achievements have been a mile high, with PM’s previous speeches that depict he does not keep his word, the end result has been disastrous. With tax payers money they flaunt all the benefits of their offices, misusing their trust and power confided to them and yet claim to be people friendly!!

Our Prime Minister who is dearly known in his home town Multan as “Murshad Paak” (the pious guide) has been convicted by the highest court in the land and yet he made a maiden trip after the honor was bestowed upon him by the Supreme Court. The entourage accompanying the condemned premier was (70-90) people. From visa to plane fuel to boarding lodging at London’s most expensive hotel; “Churchill” to hiring of 30 limousines and rest of the paraphernalia is being paid by sweat & blood of people of Pakistan. An estimate of this tour is approximately 600,000 pounds or 8.7 Crore rupees. One wonders if they have any feelings left in their chests!

A brief look at history as it was:: When Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan made his first trip to the United States in May of 1950, he took an entourage of 5/6 people, with his wife Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan accompanying him, stopping at New York, Washington, Houston and Kansas City. President Harry Truman and our PM gave a joint press conference. He addressed the House of Representatives or the lower house of Parliament, a parade was held in honor of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's visit to New York City marching by City Hall. Begum Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Prime Minister, addressed Washington's Junior League which was women’s charitable organization in the U.S.  PM visited the home of “America’s Quaid-i-Azam,” George Washington, located in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Columbia University's Head Dwight D. Eisenhower conferred a degree upon Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, of Pakistan. Columbia University is New York’s oldest institution of higher education, founded as King’s College in 1754. Eisenhower later became the first American President to visit Pakistan. This was a rare accolade afforded to very few visiting foreign leaders. It was a trip that signified simplicity, austerity, sophistication and at the same time pride in representing a free state.

Similar was the case with President Ayub Khan’s trip in July 1961 to the United States. His daughter, Begum Nasir Akhtar Aurangzeb accompanied him along with 6 people in the entourage. The President took the national airline for the visit and never bothered to Charter a plane for himself and his daughter. His activities included: A state dinner at Mt. Vernon, a visit to the Islamic Center of Washington, a parade in New York City. President Ayub’s visit also included a trip to San Antonio where he toured and laid wreath at The Alamo, followed by a barbeque hosted by Vice President Johnson at his ranch in Stonewall, TX. Mind you, those were days when Pakistan’s economy was termed as “the Decade of Development” which was at its way up according to the graph indicators.

The culture of expensive and large entourages were started by Mr. Bhutto, followed by General Zia-ul-Haq which has now increased in spending and number of people travelling with a Pakistani head of state. One is left to wonder: If the two premiers Liaquat Ali Khan and Ayub Khan could carry out their state visits to the US in austerity, where they were greeted twice with open arms, warmth, and affection by the host country, couldn’t our present day premier do the same? Gilani’s lavish expenditure, taking free loaders to the UK wouldn’t have made any difference to the British dignitaries or people of that country; In fact, if PM Gilani had some anguish in using the public funds he would have been given higher pedestals of respect by UK, anyhow, this excursion has made another dent into the ailing treasury of Pakistan. One wishes the PM’s mammoth ego can understand that the Lordship behavior applies to rich monarchs and flourishing economies and not to a poor country’s representative. That wastage of funds by him only deepens the misery and deprivation people of Pakistan face.

Another point of shameful agony was faced by citizens of this country after watching a horrendous interview given by our Premier to CNN. The interviewer Becky Anderson asked many questions among them a few gave jolts of embarrassment for any Pakistani with a logical mind. She referred to the other countries and pointed out that if corruption charges were put up on any minister they leave the office on Moral grounds, what credibility does he have to stay in the office till the last straw snaps? Then she gave the Gallup Poll survey which was released during the last year it indicated: “Less than one third of Pakistani’s have confidence in the national Government, local police and honesty of elections. 81% see the Government rife with corruption, only 20% that one in five people approve of their national leaders. A Damning Indictment! A Dysfunctional Society!”  Our Premier’s reply was: Either you say democracy or you say dictatorship. (What democracy Mr. Prime Minister? Sir, this is more like Plunderocracy!) Then she preceded to the last question which revealed the true face of our leader when she announced; “A third of Pakistani’s want to leave the country, this is what the latest Gallup Poll says,” Lo and behold, the premier replies, “And why don’t they leave? Who is stopping them?” The smile on his face was enough to silent the interviewer, & the ones who watched later. What a Shame! Mr. Prime Minister, you are in the office because of people, and this is the attitude you carry? What incentives, reforms have you given to the masses? With excessive borrowings that equal the amount of the rest of country’s history what makes you credible to remain in seat?

Unfortunately, Mr. Jinnah our founding father who lovingly brought people to this country in 1947 must have tossed and turned in his grave or would have quivered with disgust today if he was alive. Mr. Jinnah was also a man who minced no words, stood no humbug, and called a spade a spade. His golden quote: “Faith, Unity, and Discipline” has been twisted today by the likes of our premier to: “Money, Clan, and Swindling.”

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Published on the following links:
http://dailyausaf.com/epaper/2012/05/17/page/15/

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=155705

http://www.islamabadtimesonline.com/gilanis-extravagance/