Wasteful rulers

This letter refers to the news report ‘Islamabad deserves debt relief from all creditors urgently, says economist’ (November 24, 2024). Before asking for relief, we should learn how the country reached this position and take the necessary remedial measures to avoid it happening again. The resources of the country have been wasted by successive governments on unviable and loss-making projects and the perks and privileges of elected representatives and other officials. Corruption has also led to a lot of waste. Billions of dollars in aid and bailouts have not enabled the country to stand on its own feet.

One can even argue that it has had a damaging effect by enabling the elite to continue with their wasteful and corrupt ways. If we set our house in order, there will be no need for any foreign assistance. To ensure transparency and accountability in government expenditure and fiscal discipline, it is suggested that, like constitutional benches, economic benches may also be set up to prosecute corruption and other economic crimes by political leaders.

Abdul Majeed

Islamabad