THE viral videos of a Sindh politician`s personalleisure andindulgence on social media have sparked intense criticism from the public. This criticism is particularly valid because it is directed not at an ordinary individual, but at an elected representative entrusted with the public`s vote to serve in the assembly.

Unfortunately, once elected, such representatives abandon public service, and, instead, lead a life of luxury, enjoying privileges akin to that of royalty. In response to the wave of criticism, the politician concerned argued that `all this wealth` belonged to his ancestors, and that he had `every right to enjoy` his life.

While it is true that everyone has the right to enjoy life, the public`s question remains: how can someone amass such vast wealth, including luxury cars, valuable horses and other extravagant resources, in a country like Pakistan? We live in a country where people struggle to pay their utility bills, lose their lives due to lack of medical facilities, and remain deprived of basic education and employment opportunities. For an elected representative tolead such an opulent lifestyle in such a country is nothing short of an injustice to the electorate.

The core of the criticism lies in the fact that if someone as wealthy as the said politician had established beneficial institutions for their community or constituency, such as a hospital, an educational institution, or any other welfare project, people`s opinions would have been quite dif ferent.

However, there seems to be no evidence of any such effort or contribution from him that would portray him as a true public servant.

This is merely one example; there are hundreds ofsuch electedrepresentatives across Pakistan, especially in Sindh, who possess similar wealth and resources. Can they not establish even one institution in their respective communities that could benefit the public? This clearly indicates that their priorities lie elsewhere, and the people, in this entire spectrum, are merely used as pawns for securing votes. Such a behaviour is undoubtedly lamentable, and calls for serious reflection and action.

Ali Raza Soomro Karachi