THIS is with reference to the news item ‘Decision to do away with five-day week’ (June 27).

The pronouncement to do away with it, having been earlier announced at the National Energy Conference on April 9, appears to now have been made in the interest of national productivity, as though the enhancement of national productivity was not an immediate preference in April.

Back then, the government had expressed its determination to overcome the national energy crisis by endorsing a five-day week. Ironically, the same government has now decided to renounce its verdict despite the persisting energy crisis.

Given the state of the economy, one is bound to question the wisdom behind the rather ridiculous notion of implementing a five-day working week in the first place; more so if those at the helm of affairs were to subsequently revoke it in just a matter of a few months.

The truth remains that such standard practice of introducing impulsive and impromptu measures apparently intended to help facilitate dramatic headlines before a hapless public not only remains a foremost attribute of this incumbent
administration but reflects an unqualified dearth of progressive opinion-making and resolute planning with respect to the
most fundamental aspects of governance.

What remains to be witnessed is whether instead of successively resorting to ad hoc and tentative measures, the governing authorities for once will think beyond their respective tenures, and proceed with a much-desired collective will and foresight.

KAMRAN SHAH
Karachi