The most frightening is the fact that over the last three years, billions of rupees in loans have been taken
ISLAMABAD: With reference to Mr Rasul Bakhsh Rais’s piece “Can the Sharifs reform Pakistan?” dated February 3, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Rais that so far “the vast majority of the people are highly disappointed by the Sharifs”. But I’m also of the view that hoping for the Sharifs to perform any miracles is childish in the first place. What is most frightening is the fact that over the last three years, billions of rupees in loans have been taken — but this unrestrained profligacy and overindulgence have always been their forte. With exports dwindling, and a failed attempt to restructure the public sector loss-making enterprises, the rulers took the easier route and are now attempting to privatise PIA.
Our only ray of hope are the CPEC projects which by all accounts are progressing satisfactorily and in the longer run, the federation of Pakistan can enjoy economic prosperity. But again there is one hurdle that needs to be overcome — the crux of this nation’s dilemma: corruption and nepotism.
Despite the strenuous efforts of the National Accountability Bureau, only a small percentage of corrupt practices have been halted, thanks to the plea bargaining and voluntary return provision, Section 25 of the NAB ordinance 1999. This is a big loophole that the corrupt take advantage of. Unless the corrupt are caught, put behind bars, and each and every penny of the loot recovered — don’t expect any miracles.
Danish Aftab
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2016.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
