We see that it has not disqualified even certified crooks like those who submitted fake degrees.
KARACHI: We were told that the Election Commission of Pakistan, being truly independent, would not allow dishonest persons to contest the elections. But now, we see that it has not disqualified even certified crooks like those who submitted fake degrees. Besides these, it has allowed loan defaulters, as well as a former cabinet minister (who paid income tax which was less than the price of her handbag). As for those who were named recipients of illegitimate funds in the Asghar Khan case, they are being treated like holy cows that cannot be touched. One is tempted to ask, what’s the use of Articles 62 and 63 if criminals are not restrained from standing in the elections? Knowing the mindset of the majority of our voters (who mostly vote on the basis of caste), immoral and corrupt people will be elected again, giving them ample time to loot the country, while cases against them will take many years to be completely decided.
With all this happening, the outgoing government might as well have amended the Constitution to allow only corrupt people to contest elections instead of going to great lengths coming up with the Eighteenth Amendment. That would have been much closer to reality. The next government should do so immediately.
Shakir Lakhani
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2013.
