Pakistan First is good rhetoric but the nation is entitled to ask the originators of this clich as to what had they done during the past eight years to make it a reality Amongst the many necessities for the successful development of a country on modern, dynamic, progressive, enlightened and democratic lines the most important factors are devotion and dedication of its leaders, in building up institutions and enforcing across the board accountability and the rule of law. South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia to name a few are some of the shining examples from whom lessons can be learnt. These countries were no better than Pakistan in any respect about a quarter of a century back. The leaders of these countries kept national interests in immediate focus all the time and worked single-mindedly and concentrated on certain fundamental national requirements such as education, social welfare and providing easy access to justice. The results are there for the whole world to see and judge. Unfortunately, Pakistan has remained under the military rule for the better part of its life so far. Army commanders (four so far) assumed power on the plea to "safeguard the integrity of the country" which unfortunately was justified by the Apex Court each time under the jargon of Doctrine of Necessity. What happened next The safeguard of the country turned into safeguarding the personal interests of the military ruler and prolonging his hold on unshackled power on one pretext or another and by duping the nation by repeatedly going back on his words of honour given to the nation in the print and on electronic media. If the presence of a general's baton on the table of the president had at all, even once cleaned the stables and made the country look good then there may be a case to weigh these general's extra constitutional actions in the light of the sincerity of their purpose. There is not a single instance to support them. But to make it a "ten years itch for power" is "not" on. Military dictatorships verses democracy is a separate subject for discussion. The fact remains that the dictators are all alike, once in power; they hang on to it till they are virtually booted out. Remember democracy is the only panacea for the ills of developing countries. One may cite the example of 18 years of martial law in Korea and Gen Park Chung Hee's dictatorship where Korea a near "failed state" was transformed into a model of development and progress in all fields. But Gen Chung Hee was an exception, a freak, a monstrosity amongst a brigade of usurpers. He was different, an honest and dedicated person but in military uniform. In 1961 Gen Park Chung Hee took over power and declared martial law. He resigned from the army and moved lock stock and barrel to a military barrack where he lived, ate and held his court. Simplicity and contacts with the people was the order of day and in doing so he set a personal example. No exceptions. Martial law in Korea lasted for 18 years and during this period the country made miraculous progress. This was made possible only because of the sincerity, dedication and unselfish devotion of the man at the top - Gen Park Chung Hee. Pakistan from time to time had been under military rule for more than half of its life and the legitimate query is: Pakistan had these four general's guiding its destiny who claimed to be sincere in ensuring the country to a better future. Then how come Pakistan did not progress on the lines of South Korea? For that to happen the Pakistani generals needed to be honest, sincere, devoted to the country with across the board accountability with no holy cows in the person of army generals and the judiciary. It is not easy for Pakistani power lords to emulate Gen Hee. Pakistani leaders including those who came to clean the stables did not even bother to know how over 60 percent of Pakistan's population who live in shanty huts with no facilities of life, pass their time. Pakistani leaders one and all are luxury loving and they enjoy life at public cost. Visits to holy places for Umra and Haj at the cost of public exchequer is a routine for these VVIP's and then some even have the audacity to loudly proclaim that the Kaaba door was opened for them so many times. Even Islam tells you to visit holy places only with your own hard and honestly earned money. Only recently the President of Pakistan visited four European countries on a self-sponsored PR tour and while in London he stayed in the royal suite for four days in one of the most expensive hotels in the world, costing Pakistan 68,000/-. This four days stay in London was only for an hour long meeting with British PM Gordon Brown. The rest of the time was spent in playing bridge and Shaukat Aziz taking him out for dinner at a Japanese restaurant. This report was published in a local English daily on February 29, 2008. Newly elevated chief minister of the Punjab in his first press conference invited those present to accompany him to see for themselves the recently built palatial CM House, an orgy of waste. He also disclosed that the former chief minister had a fleet of 18/19 limousines including 9 bulletproof cars amongst them for the use of the chief minister, his family and friends. Similarly, the speaker of the National Assembly rode a Mercedes Benz but a new model was purchased for him for prestige purposes. Another English daily reports on May 14: "Supreme Court was informed that Rs 54.6 bn loan granted to politicians, businessmen and army personal was written off on direction of the State Bank during the last government. These are only a few of the example from innumerables where public money was mercilessly squandered away on personal whims for false prestige and individual pleasures. Pakistan can ill-afford such luxurious spending when in the country there is a universal "no" of electricity, gas, clean potable water, law and order and where women, young and old stand in queues for hours for a sack of flour (atta) that has gone out of their reach because of the soaring inflation. Recently, a young mother committed suicide with her two little children by hurling herself and the kids in front of a running train because she could not feed them. Tempers are frayed and there are riots against continuous and prolonged loadsheddings which are dangerous signs. When the deprived and hungry people see the privileged people driving about in expensive bulletproof limousines and enjoying fabulous meals in posh restaurants there is a feeling of resentment inviting open conflict between "the haves and have-nots." If the crisis, God forbid, develops any further then it will be a sad day for Pakistan. This all-round crises of "non- availability" is no doubt the outcome of poor governance and inactivity for the last eight years by the general (retd) and his imported finance/prime minister who gave fudged figures about the blooming economy to deceive the people. However that is the past and one can never retrieve the times gone by; it is now for the present democratically elected government to redress the wrongs of their predecessors. It no doubt will take time to reverse the all around "no" syndrome but an earnest beginning must be made. It does not mean that the wrong doers of yesterday should be left off for their omissions, their negligence, incompetence, financial scandals and scams like the privatisation of the Steel Mill, sugar crises and the recent wheat fiascos. The guilty must be apprehended and made an example for the future.