One must remember that process of accountability starts from our own homes, we need to hold ourselves accountable too
KARACHI: Corruption is considered to be a curse for any economy. I believe that it is not only a curse for the economy, but also for humanity. In the middle of the previous century, sociologist Edwin Sutherland had used the term white-collar crime, defined as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation”. It is a financially motivated, non-violent crime committed mostly by government officials and businessmen. In the present decade, the menace of corruption has spread to the grassroots level. Corrupt practices do not only take the form of embezzling cash or setting up property scams. When anyone misuses his authority, resorts to favouritism or nepotism, this is also corruption.
The United Nations promulgated a charter against corruption and Pakistan became a signatory to it on December 9, 2003. December 9 is celebrated as the International Anti-Corruption Day globally.
In this context, the Pakistan government has taken many initiatives and enacted laws to eradicate the menace of corruption. The formation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an apex anti-corruption agency, was a step towards the elimination of corruption. NAB is playing a vital role in eradicating corruption. We should join hands with it and raise our voices against corruption. NAB is performing its duties with dedication.
However, one must remember that the process of accountability starts from our own homes and we need to hold ourselves accountable too. If such an attitude can be fostered in society, we will be able to root out the menace of corruption from our homes, villages, towns, cities, provinces and the entire country eventually. We, the citizens of Pakistan, need to make our beloved country corruption-free.
Aftab Hussain Rajper
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2014.
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