KARACHI:
In a modern democracy, individuals who have been elected to public offices must set aside their personal interests and fully commit to working for the country. Pakistan was created by politicians with integrity and character who were not smitten by greed for assets or wealth. During the 1930s, Quaid-e-Azam served as a successful barrister and lived a comfortable life in London. However, when Allama Iqbal and others requested him to return to India, he sold his property in London and returned to lead the All-India Muslim League.
On 11th August 1947, the Quaid-e-Azam warned the first Constituency Assembly of the disease of corruption, which had been nurtured during colonial rule. The colonial rulers normalised the betrayal of the motherland by buying the natives’ loyalties. They would lure the people by bestowing them with titles and land for their own gains.
Unfortunately, Pakistani politicians failed to give up on the colonial remnants that derailed Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state. We may be amongst the few countries whose elected politicians are allowed to own assets abroad, settle their families there and still hold sensitive public offices. There are no restrictions to prevent political leaders from buying properties abroad, facilitating their families by acquiring foreign residency and moving abroad after retirement. We need immediate changes in the system to prevent political figures from purchasing properties/assets abroad. They must not be allowed to transfer their income and revenue from their assets to foreign bank accounts. Without major changes in our democratic structure and system, Pakistan will never be able to rid itself of corruption and move towards progress.
Malik Tariq
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2022.
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