The Officious Bystander
The “continuing tsunami ” affecting Pakistan is heart wrenching but after 2 weeks, it does not warrant the headlines but it is tucked away and given passing mention by the worlds media as an afterthought.
The calls for aid went unheard and the later tepid response surprised the Pakistani government to its core.But then again what was there to be surprised about?
It is estimated that 90% of the national budget goes either to the military or is dissipated and the countries leadership, through the years was more interested in in their own political survival rather than the survival of the nation or its development.
Ordinary Pakistanis themselves shocked the government by refusing to donate in the government fund drive as they did generously in the previous earth quake but preferred direct private action.The consensus was that the money would never reach the victims.
To add to their embarrassment two media personalities who launched their own fund, raised more money in 2 days that did the government in ten days. Their conclusions, as is the national consensus, is that the government is suffering from a massive credibility deficit.
The victims complain that no civil servants have even visited them and this complete absence has led the people wholly reliant on the military, whenever and wherever they appear…if they do at all.
This is dangerous because generally a nations military is always regarded as an extension of a government but in Pakistan’s history the military has ruled the country longer than any civilian government…….the time seems ripe ……and with popular support….who knows….
And will all the international aid received be used for its intended aims and purposes?
The Officious Bystanders response would be “Of course its possible, but not probable“.
