Targeting corrupt leaders has symbolic value but it won’t go very far in curbing everyday corrupt practices
LAHORE: This is in response to Maria Waqar’s article titled ‘Electoral politics and corruption’ published on August 23rd. Ms Waqar’s article raises a great point about voter mentality in Pakistan and the fear of a military coup looming over politicians owing to the country’s history. This paradox, unfortunately, gets the better of both the segments. At the one end, the voter waits for a ‘saviour’ — usually in uniform — while on the other, the politicians indulge in ripping off the state’s economy. Both the sides in this case are to be held equally responsible for the failing system.
Our policymakers need to identify the complexes of this paradox and word towards solving them. As Mr Waqar argues, ‘any genuine anti-corruption campaign must acknowledge that abuse of authority and misuse of public resources is at the heart of politician-voter linkages in Pakistan. While targeting corrupt leaders at the top has symbolic value, it won’t go very far in curbing everyday corrupt practices.’
Sadiq Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2017.
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