Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs for his two day official visit to Belarus.
In a democratic republic supposedly founded on the principles of meritocracy, transparency, and accountability, the current government of Pakistan has turned the very essence of governance into a mockery. The recent official visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Belarus exemplifies this rot. Accompanied by an entourage that seemed more like a family picnic than a state delegation, this visit has sparked rightful outrage among citizens concerned about the misuse of public funds and the blatant nepotism that now defines Pakistan’s corridors of power.
The inclusion of Nawaz Sharif (the Prime Minister’s brother and President of the ruling party), Maryam Nawaz (his niece and the Punjab Chief Minister), Hasan Nawaz (his nephew), and Ishaq Dar (his cousin and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister), among others, on an international tour financed by the public exchequer, is a disgraceful insult to democratic values. The presence of Marriyum Aurangzeb, Dr. Adnan Khan (Nawaz Sharif’s personal physician), and other loyalists without a defined policy role exposes how state functions are reduced to a family affair.
This is not a government. It is a monarchy masquerading as a republic.
The trade between Belarus and Pakistan amounted to $50.3 million in 2024 – and this is far from the limit, Energy Minister, co-chairman of the Belarus-Pakistan commission for trade and economic cooperation Denis Moroz said. There is no robust exchange of goods, services, or cultural ties to justify such a large and high-profile delegation. While 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed and a “Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation” was touted as a key outcome, these agreements are ceremonial at best and almost never translate into tangible results. The pomp of the delegation starkly contrasts with the economic realities back home, where inflation, debt, and unemployment continue to crush the common citizen.
This official visit has become an all-too-familiar theater where public money is burned to maintain elite privileges.
Nepotism has taken center stage in national affairs. Maryam Nawaz, without any substantial experience or elected office record prior to her elevation, now controls the largest and most crucial province, Punjab. Her appointment as Chief Minister is not just questionable—it reeks of dynastic politics. Hasan Nawaz, who has no public office or visible policy role, was included in the delegation, as if international diplomacy was a family business.
This flagrant violation of governance norms erodes institutional credibility. Instead of being public servants, the ruling elite behave as royalty entitled to state resources, travel, and privileges.
The rot doesn’t stop at foreign junkets. The culture of favoritism has extended to national awards, where individuals aligned with the ruling party are chosen for state honors on Pakistan Day (23rd March), irrespective of merit. This distortion of recognition mechanisms reflects an unethical favoritism that weakens national morale. Awards meant to celebrate service to the nation are now dispensed as gifts to loyalists.
Political appointments, too, are no longer made on merit. From ambassadors to institutional heads, selections are increasingly based on loyalty to the Sharif dynasty rather than capability or integrity. This system discourages talent, fuels mediocrity, and entrenches corruption.
Rules meant to regulate the size and composition of delegations, travel budgets, and selection of awardees are flouted with impunity. Government guidelines that demand lean delegations and purpose-specific travel are completely ignored. Ministers from unrelated departments like climate change and planning are tagging along without defined responsibilities.
Such actions are not just morally wrong—they’re administratively illegal. But accountability mechanisms have been systematically dismantled or neutralized. The Ethics and Accountability units in public offices have been rendered toothless.
This government’s conduct undermines the very foundation of democracy. Elections become rituals when governance is inherited rather than earned. The creation of dynasties destroys institutional integrity. The concentration of power within one family makes mockery of Parliament, of the Constitution, and of every citizen who still believes in the dream of a democratic Pakistan.
The perception among Pakistanis is no longer that of a public government. It is now seen as a familial cartel that hijacks state apparatus for personal glorification. This has led to a dangerous erosion of public trust.
While the elite enjoy five-star hotels and international media coverage, ordinary Pakistanis struggle to afford electricity, petrol, and bread. The optics of lavish foreign trips in such dire times are not just insensitive—they are cruel. The government has abandoned all pretense of humility and public service.
Furthermore, these excesses invite international ridicule. Pakistan, already grappling with reputational damage over financial mismanagement, now looks like a playground of political families living off international aid and domestic taxes.
This is not a plea for partisan politics. It is a desperate call for democratic decency. The judiciary, the civil society, and the media must expose and challenge the culture of nepotism and favoritism. Citizens must demand accountability, transparency, and the restoration of merit in public life.
Only then can Pakistan move towards a future where leadership is earned through service—not inherited through bloodlines.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
