KARACHI:
Individuals seeking sensitive elected or paid public offices i.e. Prime Minister, President, etc where decisions impact the destiny and fate of millions of citizens are judged on a higher moral and ethical pedestal than that applicable to common citizens. Pakistan was created through a democratic political struggle led by men of intellect and integrity like the Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal and others. However, the country has suffered for decades because Jinnah’s vision for a modern democratic welfare state with the Constitution as the supreme law was derailed by ambitious adventurers.
The rule of law was replaced by individuals who considered themselves above the law and were not accountable for violating established morals and ethics. The recent controversies and conflicts of interest involving former Prime Ministers and paid elite have further tarnished their image. But nobody is indispensable. If Pakistan has to survive, this can no longer be tolerated. In the US, the personal lives of individuals seeking public office are scrutinised in depth. For instance, in 1988 Senator Gary Warren Hart, the front-running Democratic presidential nominee was dropped amidst revelations of extramarital affairs.
In democratic societies, the right to privacy is considered a privilege of common citizens, but not a right of those seeking elected and paid public offices. Gone are the days when kings and monarchs like Henry VIII could live in depravity and get away with it. Nowadays private lives of royals in constitutional monarchies are subjected to public scrutiny and censure. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, individuals in elected and paid public offices get away with many things due to the absence of a democratic culture. All elected officials must be held accountable for their actions and should be removed from office if they are found violating democratic and moral principles.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2022.
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