IN a country where millions live below the poverty line; where there is an acute shortage of electricity, gas, flour, sugar; where mothers are selling their children for a pittance for mere survival, the news in your paper (Dec 27) that the government is spending a billion on erecting a monument for Benazir Bhutto is shocking.

Morally it is not correct for the government to spend such a big amount from the taxpayers' money on this monument.

However no one would grudge the party if it makes a monument on private land by spending the party's money.

FAROOQ DAWOOD
Karachi