THIS is with reference to the article ‘Racked with guilt’ (Dec 10) in which the writer outlined his sensitivity to the disparity in the lifestyles of the elite class, to which he belongs, and the rest of the population. He is not happy with the cost of the former lifestyle because it is the capital that could have been diverted to the cause of uplifting the downtrodden.

Moving on, the writer wondered why Pakistan has never produced the leadership it deserves which could give priority to education and health instead of motorways. He felt sorry at seeing India and Bangladesh forging ahead of Pakistan, and would not mind reverting to the Pakistan of yesteryear with all its simplicity. All these are laudable and noble thoughts coming from a retired officer of the Pakistan civil service.

I am sure that at least some individuals among the elite feel the same way as the writer says he does. Unfortunately, while this may be so, very few individuals have given up the opulence to which they have become used to. None, as far as I know, has embraced a simple life by choice.

They had never tried to follow the eminent, shining example of the late Dr Akhtar Hameed Khan, who had resigned from the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in pre-partition days to become a locksmith and a labourer, and chose a life of serving the masses.

Dr Khan was the initiator of projects, such as the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) in Karachi and rural development in Comilla, Bangladesh, which at the time was part of Pakistan. His leadership and efforts in the fields of improving the lifestyles of the poor have been recognised within Pakistan and internationally.

Perhaps the writer of the said article could show the elite of Pakistan that his sensitivity to the disparity between the haves and the have-nots lies not only in theorising, but carries the required practical value. He could, for instance, convert his house into a shelter for the poor who have nowhere to go. He could sell his luxury air-conditioned car and buy a smaller vehicle and contribute the gain to the service of the poor. He could generally lower his lifestyle and put the savings at the service of the under-privileged. Otherwise, his words would remain just that; words.

Unfortunately, we have too many elite theorists who pinpoint disparities between the elite and the common man, but very few who are prepared to lead by example.

Saad Ashraf
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2023