The Punjab Assembly has passed an unanimous resolution tabled by Wasi Zafar of PPP which demanded VIP status for the MPs and that to since 1988. Why, no one knows. It seems that the Treasury and Opposition benches have finally found a subject where they agree, and that too, as one voice. Well done !

However, there is one thing worth considering here. These MPs have a very myopic outlook of priorities. They are satisfied with just a petty VIP status. One wonders why they stopped at only this. They should have resolved for more perks and privileges. For example:

• Each MP will get a Mercedes-Benz while his / her spouse will get a BMW. (In case the MP is a bachelor, his favorite consort will be entitled to this facility. If he has more than one wife, then he decides who gets the car).
• Each MP will get a Military Secretary and an ADC just like the VVIPs.
• Each MP will get to have a flag on his / her car just like the Ministers.
• Each MP will get free and unlimited facility to travel on planes, rail, buses, ships for self and family.
• Each MP will get a collateral-free loan of up to 20 million rupees on easy installments. This loan will be guaranteed by the government.
• Each MP will be exempted from all criminal and civil suits during his tenure.
• Each MP will get atleast one foreign trip every year on Government account.
• Each MP will get a quota of 500 jobs every year.
• Each MP will be interviewed on TV once during his tenure.
• Each MP will get TV news coverage atleast once every quarter.
• The policemen will genuflect every time a MP drives by.
• The voters who utilized their valuable votes to elect the MP will, once every year, present gifts to the MP concerned.

It is important and essential for every Pakistani to make sure that the elected representatives are well-looked after. The MPs should be treated more than royalty. The poets and writers should extol the virtues of these MPs, especially their "democratic" actions in the Assemblies. Those who want to enter politics should learn from the Masters themselves. Each and every minute of the rowdy attitude, slanderous name-calling, physical and personal attacks on fellow-members, misuse of authority, etc, are well worth emulating.

The President of Pakistan is sincerely requested to honor the Resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly and grant the facility demanded by these MPs. He should also add the above special privileges. After all, the MPs are sacrosanct.

MAJLO BANTVI