THE government has half-heartedly announced austerity measures to combat fuel, energy and financial crises in the country. As expected, it has met strong resistance from traders, hoteliers and wedding hall owners, as these measures will drastically damage their businesses.

Naturally, as these measures are prepared by the bureaucrats, there is no mention of steps like doing away with the provision of free electricity and fuel to anyone regardless of profession and position, ban on using helicopters and aeroplanes by government functionaries, cut on excessive and unnecessary foreign trips, and encouraging the use of virtual meetings rather than people travelling for the purpose. And where travelling is necessary, only economy class should be allowed, and the people concerned should stay in government guest houses instead of hotels. Nobody is making such suggestions. Why?

Moreover, large entourages with dignitaries in local and foreign trips is a burden on the country’s exchequer. It is an unnecessary practice, and is used as a means to favour individuals on taxpayers’ account. I am sure no such measures would be taken, or even considered, as all those in power are playing the proverbial Nero’s flute.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2023