Let’s all pledge to eliminate the menace of corruption in all its forms and manifestations.
ISLAMABAD: Like many others, I have been talking and writing about corruption in Pakistan for years. After a number of commentaries on some aspects of corruption in Pakistan, particularly in my home province of Sindh, I am still laying emphasis on anti-corruption measures and will keep on acting as a crusader against corruption.
I note with deep concern that our corrupt leaders are interested only in clinging to power. Blame has always been ascribed to inefficiency, incompetence, irresponsibility and insufficient budgetary allocations. It appears, however, that the enumeration of the factors crushing the criminal justice system can be simplified as it boils down to one factor, which is corruption.
Corruption constitutes the abuse of public trust, the act of bribery, the act of profiteering, immorality, breach of trust, bribery, complicity and conduct involving graft. It involves taking undue advantage of one’s office for personal gain at the expense of another in blatant violation of the law. Significantly, the dilemma intensifies and reinforces public apathy and leads to a consequent loss of faith in the country’s justice system. It creates the impression that justice is for the powerful and mighty, bright and wealthy people who have the capacity to buy justice at their price and in the way that favours them.
Consequently, every individual playing a vital role in the justice system is responsible and liable for removing corruption from the system. Hence, it is imperative to closely scrutinise every sector involved in the system and analyse the complexity of corruption at every level of the system.
Inevitably, a review and evaluation of performance of the five pillars of enforcement, prosecution, court, correction and community of the criminal justice system would help us disclose and depict how corruption has entwined itself into the system in our country. But more importantly, insightful research studies would help and guide us in identifying key solutions to prevent, if not totally eliminate, the scourge of corruption. Let’s all pledge to eliminate the menace of corruption in all its forms and manifestations, which is deepening in Pakistani society today. To achieve this noble goal, we have to implement the anti-corruption provisions of the Constitution completely.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2014.
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