RUCKUS in parliament is not an unusual phenomenon, but our opposition comes up with no alternative budget. They could at least present a sectorial/circular diagram (in per cent) to better balance constraints of security and welfare. Historically, a common feature of all strong states has been a strong military coupled with civil institutions, a de jure capability to defend their territory and policies that favoured the citizens rather than dominant classes like feudal lords and industrial robber barons.

India abolished feudal aristocracy in 1948. We also need to re-look at the Supreme Court’s Shariat appellate bench’s decision (Aug 10, 1989) to introduce radical land reforms.

Parties without alternative budgets are minds without ideas. It appears our legislators have no acumen to understand the budgetary allocations. The common man will wait with wistful eyes what our opposition provides for by way of basic rights (education, healthcare and shelter) in an alternative budget.

Why can’t the opposition demand and budget for a merger of variegated hospitals and educational systems (civil and military) into one national health and education service? At least, civil and military personnel could be put at par for medical treatment.

Let us see how our vociferous opposition strikes a balance between constraints of security and welfare in an alternative budget. Let our government listen to them.

M. M. Asad

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019

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