Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani during his visit to Lahore on Sunday while showing resolve to implement 10-point agenda of PML(N) has asked the Nawaz League to come up with alternative to the Reformed General Sales Tax(RGST). The PM also once said in the Assembly very innocently that from where he should get money to run the government. I must say that the PM must be joking as he has a team of financial advisors along with Pakistan Planning Commission. If the government cannot generate revenue, it can reduce their unnecessary expenditure which runs into billions of rupees. The use of private jets by the President, PM, CMs and governors must be stopped forthwith and all consultations could be made on telephones or they should use commercial flights. All parties refreshments at the state expense must be stopped immediately. Although the size of the cabinet had reduced yet it remains to be seen if the ministers really practice austerity. Their advisors also would have to practice austerity. The fleet of cars being used by the ministers for free must be cut down to only one staff car per minister. The orientation tours of foreign countries by the parliamentarians must be totally stopped till we recover from economic crisis. No government official be sent abroad for medical treatment or check up when all facilities are available in the country. Besides, the government should also cut down the size of the Embassy staff in foreign countries who are real parasites on our foreign exchange vis-a-vis their output. There are scores of other areas like recovery of written off loans, billions looted in various financial scams etc and would have enough revenue for the development works for the poor masses. There is no doubt that our rulers are spending billions in their self-maintenance. They know it and still they are callous in spending government exchequer with impunity. We are a nuclear state and should be ashamed of carrying a begging bowl to the world bodies. Let us tighten our belts and show some dignity and self-esteem. Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto once said, " we would eat grass but would make an atomic bomb". MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA, Lahore, February 7.