THE annual budget is due tomorrow and I would like to make a suggestion in this respect. The opposition and the major political parties sitting on the opposition benches should come up with an alternative budget.

In this respect a sectoral diagram ­— in percentage terms — of such a budget will not only expose the mumbo jumbo of the opposition leaders’ everyday harangues, but also point to the shortcomings of the budget presented by the finance minster.

This practice of an alternative budget will inform the common man of exactly what the government intends to spend on citizens’ basic rights like education, healthcare, shelter, etc.

Historically, a common feature of all strong states had been that they have strong military and civil institutions, the capability to defend their territory and policies that favoured citizenry rather than dominant classes like feudal lords and industrial robber-barons.

Let us see how our vociferous opposition strikes a balance between the needs of our country’s security and the welfare of the citizens. In case, our lawmakers feel handicapped in understanding the intricacies of defence budgeting in the context of the internal and external security situation, the military establishment should arrange a briefing for them.

The people have the right to know what is going on, how their money is being spent.

Amjed Jaaved

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2017