Pakistan’s Policy Failures

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The tragic loss of lives due to preventable incidents like fires and roof collapses continues unabated in Pakistan, yet the victims remain voiceless and justice eludes them.

It’s a grim reality that exposes the callous disregard of those in power for the plight of ordinary citizens.

Every day, we hear harrowing accounts of people succumbing to asphyxiation or perishing in infernos caused by gas cylinder blasts or structural failures.

These tragedies, far from being mere accidents, are symptomatic of criminal negligence on the part of authorities responsible for regulating essential services like gas supply.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and its subsidiaries have failed miserably in ensuring the safety of citizens, resulting in countless avoidable deaths, particularly among vulnerable segments like women and children.

While Pakistan grapples with these preventable disasters, the rest of the world watches, taking note of the egregious failures of our policymakers.

Our neighbors, once mired in similar challenges, have heeded the lessons of our mismanagement and forged ahead on paths of progress and prosperity.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/pakistans-quest-for-survival/

Meanwhile, Pakistan remains shackled by its own incompetence, reflected starkly in its inflated currency and exorbitant living costs compared to neighboring SAARC nations.

The exorbitant bills and pervasive corruption have driven many to despair, with some resorting to drastic measures to escape poverty’s crushing grip.

It’s a cruel irony that while ordinary citizens struggle to make ends meet, the nation’s elite squander vast sums on frivolities, indifferent to the suffering around them.

Moreover, the systematic exploitation of commuters through rampant ticketing for minor traffic violations further underscores the disconnect between policymakers and the populace.

In Karachi alone, thousands of tickets are issued daily, adding to the coffers of a system rife with corruption and greed.

It’s high time for policymakers to set aside their self-serving agendas and prioritize the common good. A comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of the marginalized and empowers the downtrodden is long overdue.

Until then, the cycle of poverty and despair will continue, condemning countless more to lives of suffering and indignity.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.