Jaipur: One of Pakistan's leading young voices and estranged scion of the Bhutto family, Fatima Bhutto on Sunday lamented the fact that the chasm between the people of her country and those in power was widening by the day. Speaking at a session at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival to discuss Pakistan and its burning issues, Bhutto said while there is a huge gulf between the two sides of Pakistan, the people in power had little compassion for those they are supposed to take care of.
"There are two separate sets of people. One side is the common people and the other side is those who are in power," Fatima said.
"While millions are starving in Pakistan despite the fact that it is an agricultural country, there is disconnection between people and those in power," she said.
On the civil society in Pakistan, Fatima said while Pakistan was not new to street protests and movements, the basic problems of people had not been addressed.
"Still a larger section of society lack electricity and other basic needs," she said.
Comparing the institution of civil society in India and Pakistan, academic and author Ayesha Jalal said civil society in India was much better prepared to take to the streets.
She said energy crisis, food security and non-performing institutions were the major issues of concern there and these needs to be highlighted.
Jalal said while Pakistan is a society undergoing change, the Army is still likely to remain a dominant institution in the near future.
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