Exempt from austerity

I was reading about retired government employees who have been re-employed but are also drawing pensions but will have to forgo one income, be it their current salary or their pension. I am in favour of this ruling but why does the rank-and-file worker have to make all the sacrifices? Why can’t the sitting members of the Senate and the National Assembly let go of their perks? Pakistan is already financially strained but the entourages, protocols and lifestyle of the elite make it seem like we are a first world country. Assembly sessions go on for hours in air-conditioned halls. Would those members sit for that long if the hall only had fans? I doubt that. The ruling class needs to monitor their luxuries before tightening the belt of those who are already struggling.

Basma Malik

Rawalpindi