On 8/2/11 a mind-boggling debate took place between the chief minister and the leader of the opposition in the Sindh assembly. The opposition leader accused the CM of having his house wrongly demolished under the anti-encroachment drive by the Sindh government. He termed it as political vendetta by the PPP government. In response to the accusations of the leader of the opposition, the CM alleged that the opposition leader was mentally incapable with abilities no more than a Lower Division Clerk. Having worked as an LDC back in the 1940s, I was shocked and perturbed by this statement and the derogatory way the worthy CM compared an elected member to a lower division clerk. The elected members are there to serve the people. They are supported by the civil servants accompanied by lower division government employees. In his arrogance and narcissism, the CM forgot that his entire secretariat is run by government officers who are supported by PAs and clerks. May I also remind the CM that many of the high-ranking civil servants in the past started their careers at lower lever clerical positions with one making it to the president of Pakistan. While politicians are very sensitive about their privilege, I would request them to refrain from degrading government servants at any level.
Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad
