AN average week in the life of the nation, as reflected by the travel itineraries of its top leaders: the president of the country recently on a four-day visit to Kyrgyzstan; the prime minister on a three-day visit to Iran and Türkiye; the deputy PM also on a three-day visit to the same countries; and the interior minister on a five-day visit to Iran and the US.

Let us shift gears and examine the priorities and practices of those who remained behind to steer the ship of state. A provincial assembly enacts a new law to enhance powers, immunities and privileges of its members. It includes blanket immunity for members from preventive detention and permission from the Speaker before arresting a member even for a criminal offence. Each MPA will be entitled to eight gun licences, four of which will be issued free of charge. MPAs and their spouses will be entitled to lifetime official passports and use of VIP lounges.

The week in question once again legitimised the lavish pampering of the rich by robbing the poor. The government approved special honoraria (regressive rewards), running up to six additional salaries, for the 10 ministries involved in the making of the federal budget. An extra Rs10 million was........

© Dawn