Useless elections

Sir: After the passage of the 21st Constitutional Amendment allowing the establishment of military courts, I won’t be surprised if people soon start clamouring for increase in the powers of the judiciary. The masses want accountability of those who are responsible for the mess we are in today. Why should only terrorists be tried by military courts? Why not try those who did nothing to curb terrorism but looted public money and sent it to their foreign bank accounts? The two successive governments since 2008 did nothing to improve security, nor did they take any steps to prevent malnourishment among the poor. Almost all federal and provincial ministers during the past seven years were concerned only with enriching themselves. Now that parliament has surrendered to the military, what excuse does it have for existence? It is a fragile democracy. Why is our taxes money being spent on helping ministers to maintain their lavish lifestyles? In my opinion, another amendment to the constitution may soon be needed: doing away with elections and assemblies and allowing the armed forces to run the country.

Shakir Lakhani
Karachi
Printed in Daily Times, January 8, 2015

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