It would serve us well to assess how far we have deviated from the Quaid’s vision of a modern democratic Pakistan
LAHORE: Upon the recent celebration of Pakistan Day on March 23, it would serve us well to assess how far we have deviated from the Quaid’s vision of a modern democratic Pakistan to a state where politics is devoid of any ethics or commitment and non-accountability for the most heinous of crimes against the state has become a right by precedent for a few who consider that this country, along with all of its assets, is there to serve them.
There are two kinds of dual nationality holders of Pakistani origin. There are the ones who were forced to seek foreign nationalities or work permits because the state failed to provide them equal opportunities on merit. Then, there are the others who, having benefited the most, have conveniently chosen to abandon the country and seek foreign passports. The large majority, who are on work visas and primarily from the former group, send their savings back home to sustain their families, comprising almost 80 per cent of total foreign exchange remittances.
The other group, having made fortunes, enjoyed lucrative posts and having benefited from institutionalised corruption, availing multiple plot allotments and perks of power, such as tax-free businesses, have chosen to move their families and assets through illegal channels and in the process, have funnelled more foreign exchange out of Pakistan than that which is remitted by a large majority of loyal, hardworking expatriates. Numerous children of top bureaucrats, politicians and other influential people availed state and foreign scholarships, which should have been awarded on merit to deserving citizens of Pakistan and after attaining education from top foreign universities, refused to serve their country as per bonds signed by them.
Individuals like Altaf Hussain who abandoned Pakistan to avoid prosecution for crimes they committed, were allowed to manipulate politics, while living in Dubai, the UK, Canada, and other countries. There is a method in this madness, when key lucrative posts in the bureaucracy, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Office of Auditor General, PIA, the CAA, and foreign diplomatic assignments are dominated by this powerful nexus of corrupt dual nationals who facilitate the transfer of black money through loopholes, built intentionally within the system. It is shameful that even provincial cabinet meetings are held in Dubai while Karachi, for over two decades, was allowed to be held hostage by an ethnic party that shut the city down based on one phone call from London. Even after abandoning Pakistan, these economic opportunists continue to make this country bleed endlessly.
Malik Tariq
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2016.
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