Panama Paper Leaks have proved that Pakistan is a haven for the corrupt
ISLAMABAD: Like many other humble students of law and political science, several times a day, I either read or hear the phrase ‘rule of law’. This phrase offers unique music to my mind and ears, but when I try to reflect upon the principles that ensure rule of law — such as all citizens being treated equally by the law and obeying the law, the law should be fair so that people and authorities are willing to be ruled by it; laws should be clearly expressed and in general terms, laws should be stable and not change frequently; law-making should be guided by open and clear rules; the judiciary should be independent and free from influence by the government; ‘natural’ justice should be observed; the courts should be easily accessible and crime-preventing agencies must not change the law — I often get disturbed because I fail to find many of the abovementioned principles. They are either missing or misinterpreted in our society.
Ours is an unjust society where those who operate the system, notoriously shape it based on their emotions. Had there been any sort of rule of law in this country, the retired lot would not have been repeatedly rehired. These dunce-heads do nothing but make all humanly possible efforts to oppose administrative justice and other types of justice in the organisations and society. Above all, they harbour venomous feelings for those who are confident, competent, fully alive, and corruption and bias-free. Unfortunately, we live in a country meant for the corrupt and convicts, not for competent, candid, courageous, dignified and corruption-free people. The Panama Paper Leaks have proved that Pakistan is a haven for the corrupt and nothing will happen against the corrupt lot because money crimes are not crimes in Pakistani society — they are merely a privilege.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2016.
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