Culture of corruption: edit in The Daily Times, May 18

The sordid details of the Bank of Punjab (BoP) scam and its former president Hamesh Khan’s arrest and deportation to Pakistan from the US have, among other things, exposed the culture of corruption rampant in Pakistani society. The PML-N and PML-Q have been at each other’s throats since the whole saga unfolded. Mr Khan himself is a very shady character, thus it is pertinent that NAB thoroughly investigate him and bring him to task. The involvement of the Chaudhrys in the BoP-Harris Steel Mills scandal involving Rs 9 billion cannot be ruled out since they were in power back then, but Mr Khan’s revelations about the Sharifs should not be taken lightly either. Why did the Sharifs want an ‘unsecured loan’ worth millions of rupees? If a common man requests such a loan, he would be laughed out of the bank. The alleged demand by the Sharifs points to a pattern, that of politicians securing such loans easily. Such practices are not just limited to the civilians; military dictators are guilty of the same — exploiting public office for private gain. Unfortunately, Pakistan has become a state where any violation can be committed with impunity and the violator can go scot-free if he has sufficient links in the right quarters. Institutionalised corruption needs to be quashed if we are to progress.

Pakistan still needs to define itself and devise a process of governance. Our political culture of the last 60 years is nothing but a recipe for disaster. Corruption reigns supreme in the country, from the bottom to the top echelons. The culture of ‘connections’ is rampant in the country. Nothing is done on merit. All the hiring and firing, especially in the government sector, is done on the whims of the top bosses. This is either done to appease the party ‘loyalists’ or award monetary and/or other benefits. Backhanders rule our bureaucracy and political set-up.

The Pakistani nation is forced to have ignorant ‘leaders’ who are mostly feudal landlords-turned-politicians. Extortion, bribery, kickbacks and political handouts are the usual tools used by these high-ups in order to achieve and then maintain power. Pakistan is listed among the most corrupt countries in the world, all thanks to our ‘leaders’, be they from the military or political class. It is said that corruption is a reflection of the behavioural patterns and social values of a society. The only way to bring about a change in the system is to bring down the level of corruption. Pakistan’s economy is in dire straits due to political and economic instability. The anti-corruption mechanism in Pakistan has failed every time. Unchecked corruption can destroy the moral and political fibre of a country. It destroys people’s confidence in the existing political and social order. Therefore it is essential that those involved in any form of corruption be taken to task so that others do not follow in their footsteps. The corruption crisis must be tackled openly by all. The government should invite every citizen to unite with it in a determination to rid our country of the corruption that has destroyed our country’s economic and social progress at home and marred our international image abroad.

Hamesh Khan needs to be punished for his role in the BoP scam while the high-ups involved in it should also be brought to book without discrimination. The ends of justice must be served without fear of retribution.http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\05\18\story_18-5-2010_pg3_1