The first Cabinet of the then NWFP government after the creation of Pakistan comprised only five Ministers including the Chief Minister – a conspicuous contrast with today when Ministries are doled out by the dozen like lollypops.
It so happened that in the pool of official cars there were only five vehicles. When one out of them was earmarked for the use of the CM, the question arose as to how to allocate the remaining cars as they were four in number and the number of Ministers was five so all the ministers joined their heads and decided that since the Provincial kitty didn’t allow purchase of another car they will run the show in such a manner that on the day one Minister is on official tour of some area in the province one Minister won’t leave headquarters on that particular day . So this novel method was implemented for full one year to get round the issue till the finances of the province improved and fifth car was bought for the official pool of vehicles. Can such an example of austerity be found today when money is squandered by the powers that be lavishly on their personal comfort ?
POSTSCRIPT:
Dynastic politics has gripped our political parties. Barring an odd political party the heads of all other political parties have wangled appointment of their next of kin on key positions inside their parties so that in case their number is up their blood relations should take over their place inside their parties In other words their parties have become their personal fiefdoms.
