PEW condemns Race among politicians for perks, privileges

Lahore: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Tuesday criticised race among politicians for additional perks and privileges terming it exploitation of masses and plunder of the national resources.

While common people are burdened by rising costs, our elected representatives as well as unelected advisers who were enjoying unlimited perks, privileges and concessions at the cost of the public exchequer have grabbed even more, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

The government has miserably failed to deliver and those who do not pay taxes and get loans waived off have no right to burden exchequer for their non-stop ambition, he said.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that government always blame scarcity of funds for stalled public welfare projects but it always has money available to please nobility.

Those who plundered national wealth in the name of mandate should stop robbing masses as they had done whatever was possible to amass wealth during the last five years.

Masses are facing poverty, inflation and unemployment and the basic facilities including education, health and others have been dried up but the rich lawmakers in the national and provincial assemblies continue to awarded themselves, he said.

He said that protocol coverage and additional steps for security for VIPs are a big drain on the exchequer, it is a symbol of authority and admission by the government that it has failed to improve law and order situation.

There is need for a review of the system and protection. Except for heads of government, governors, chief ministers and ministers, others who require security arrange and pay for it themselves.

Lifetime privileges, hefty pay rise and other steps will boost inflation and budget deficit therefore institutions should take note of it and the new government should reverse all these unjustified steps, demanded Dr. Mughal.