KARACHI: It will be a huge respite for an ailing state such as ours if the leaders themselves volunteer to bring back the money they owe to the people of Pakistan. The trend can begin with the premiere of Pakistan and others can follow his lead.

This was said by Nargis Rahman, chairperson of the Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace (PWFP) during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday.

The press conference included some of the senior most citizens and public servants, including eminent writer Dr Aliya Imam, former president of the First Women Bank, Akram Khatoon; Justice Shaiq Usmani, Begum Zeenat Haroon and Brig A.R. Siddiqui. The speakers mainly focused on suggesting ways for ‘saving an ailing state from the crisis created by inept political leadership and bad governance.’

Ms Rahman and other speakers after her stressed the need to invest in local governance which could address growing infrastructural concerns of the metropolis.

Speaking about the political cacophony, Ms Rahman said the leaders were getting richer while the country was getting poorer.

“Leaders from two of our major political parties are amongst the four richest Pakistanis. Their fortunes have grown exponentially since their entry into politics. Around 140 politicians have offshore accounts whereas leaders of five political parties face charges of money laundering,” she added.

With an increase in corruption and nepotism, Ms Rahman added, the revelations about Pakistani leaders having offshore companies should not come as a surprise but that it “must be addressed.”

Writer Dr Aliya Imam said that at present, the people were asked to back seasonal movements to remove a particular political leader and their attention was getting diverted from some of their major concerns related to water, congested sewage lines and electricity shortage.

“The slogan of ‘Go Mr So and So’ rises every few months to divert the attention of people from what really concerns them. In all of this cacophony, the system remains the same, whereas the individual keeps changing,” said Dr Imam.

“The system,” she added, “continues without the supervision of a proper local government in place. Labour union discontinued a long time ago and is looked down upon even within respected institutions.

“The focus of provincial governments revolves around building flyovers which is not the ultimate solution to growing needs of the people. At the same time, people are divided on the basis of caste and ethnicity which is the main reason for them to not come together and protest about what ails them,” she said.

“Those who do come out with consistency are the lady health workers, nurses and teachers, fighting against low wages and we all know how they are treated,” Ms Rahman pointed out.

Reading from a handout, she said that there were a number of suggestions with regards to the current situation. First off, she suggested that dynastic politics must go now, as “that is the root cause of all what ails Pakistan.”

The budget for 2016-17 “must be a people-friendly budget and not a crony-friendly one.” Adding further she said the “Gross Domestic Product figures should not be fudged, local experts on economy should be used as consultants and public needs and demands must be ascertained through public meetings.”

Justice Shaiq Usmani, on his part, pointed out that “Pakistan must do away with parliamentary form of government as it has never succeeded. And that a presidential form of government must be followed in its place.”

While criticising the Army, Brig A.R. Siddiqui, said the “job of the armed forces is not to brainwash people into submission.” He also criticised the leadership of the country and the people for taking refuge in religion.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2016