Pakistan

The Finance Ministry did not even bother to inform, what to talk of seeking their views, the Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry about the imposition of carbon surcharge on motor gasoline, diesel and other POL products in the new federal budget. This is the standard of coordination at ministerial level. It speaks of the quality of governance and how the decision making is undertaken by our rulers!

In one of the TV shows, Ms Wahab representing the government was only wrong by 35% once she was asked about the rate of pulses. Isn't it better not to answer a question once you don't know the answer? In any developed country, she would not have gotten away with such lying. This speaks of the seriousness and credibility of our rulers. So, no wonder, if the budget figures, too, may be off their targets by 35%.

Our leaders and legislators make a lot of hue and cry about justice, equality and alleviation of poverty. Quite a few of them are feudal lords and industrialists. Can they set a personal example to introduce industrial and land reforms as these will do a lot of good to the poor? It will also do a lot of good to them not only in terms of prolongation of their stay in power but also in terms of their betterment in the life hereafter, if they believe in one.

How can our government have tax reforms as once it announces to levy taxes on certain sectors and withdraws the same on the threatening response from those sectors to agitate and resort to demonstrations and strikes?

A large number of government officials and consultants of all ministries at federal and provincial level are supposedly busy, day in and night out, to prepare a 'poor' friendly budget, due to be announced in a few days. This is what has been happening every year since independence. Every time it is claimed to be the best possible budget, a budget better than the previous year promising alleviation of poverty, increase in health and education facilities etc, etc. However, the outcome to date has been just the opposite of the claims made.

No budget has to date taken into account two simple questions. What is the budget of a poor family of four to five persons whose bread winner is one man? Are the public and private sectors offering these heads of families the opportunity to earn their living as per the budget of the family? If the national budget is geared towards this direction, it is a good budget, otherwise, it is all nothing but jugglery of words. It is hoped against hopes that the ruling party adheres to its slogan of Roti, Kapra aur Makan (food, clothing and housing) not only by its words but also by its deeds for the common man and not for the few of its jyalays (selected followers).

It has been reported by a section of the press quoting government officials that the allocation of resources in the coming budget will be according to the last NFC award. There is a lot of hue and cry about the incorrect distribution of resources. It is one of the important aspects of provincial autonomy. With present government having the support of opposition, it's high time that such like issues are duly addressed and not left for another day.