Expo-sing idiocy

The junta has done it again, blocking all the roads of Karachi – because of another dubious international fanfare which goes by the name of Expo 2005. The junta is above the law and has no consideration for anyone, causing huge traffic jams where should be none. Entire areas have shut off so that the movement of traffic is curtailed. Not even ambulances are allowed to get through, although have right of way, because they are on a mission to save lives. Just like the previous IDEAS exhibition where the same moronic behaviour was displayed. Whenever the existing ‘prime minister’ and ‘president’ is in the city, the entire city areas are blocked.

What is worse the junta has recently increased the price of petrol has been increased by 110% and the ‘prime minister’ says inflation is only 7%. So all the people who waiting forced traffic jams with their engines running were going nowhere at all, waiting for hours before they got anywhere. Be it IDEAS, Expo 2005 or if the ‘prime minister’ and ‘president’ visiting the country, the main city roads are blocked for prolonged periods. The obsession with security is insane, as if everyone in Karachi a potential terrorist. Instead of making the whole thing so obvious, why not travel incognito, so that no one knows these VVIPs usually meaning very very important persons – actually they very venal idiotic persons. They do not care how much they inconvenience everyone. There apparently a sense of extreme self-importance which comes with stopping the flow of traffic.

There is no doubt the all these high officials are paranoid freaks. They do not realise they create more resentment by doing the things they do. Patience wears out and one day these VVIPs are going to face rioting or worse if this goes on.

But since the ‘government’ is headed by a military dictator, such things will never stop. There is no respect for ordinary people.

As for the increase in the price of petrol most likely explanation as to recover the overspending the ‘president’ did on his world tour with family and ‘friends’ and keeping an entire airliner engaged for this purpose. Otherwise there is absolutely no justification for increasing the price of petrol. It should be only Rs one per litre and not rupee more The increase in the price of petrol is indicator the increase in the level of corruption in junta and the civil ‘service’. The civil ‘service’ the second most powerful entity in the country they are really civil masters ‘red tape holds the country together’ . as was said in one episode of comedy show ‘Yes Minister.

The military and the civil masters have complete disregard for genuine needs of the people. This the legacy of the British Raj. The empire was run by civil and military administrators, their job was to prevent destruction of the empire by all means. Even if meant massacre. This has to change, the military has to reformed and the function of the civil administrators has to changed, they should all times be answerable to political leaders, who know what the people want. The politicians are the ones who get elected not the military and the civil administration. The old ideas of running the country has to go, it is intolerable. We do not unelected people to run the country, what are more elected people in every place. All top ranking positions should be held by elected representatives not by military and civil administrators. Elected people are required to follow the will of the people, which is something the military and the civil administrators is an idea they can never get adjusted to. They believe that they are real masters of the realm called Pakistan and can do as they like, when they like.

I must emphasise over and over again that the price of petrol should not be more than Rs 1 per litre .