Corruption: an infectious disease

Letter October 24, 2016
They have failed to sensitise the youth towards greed, corruption, dishonesty and envy

ISLAMABAD: Not long ago, I asked a young, millionaire civil servant what factors got him hooked on corruption. He replied that when he would see the imperial lifestyles of his peers and bosses with brand new luxury cars, palatial bungalows in multiple cities, children studying abroad, and their families taking frequent trips, he, too, wanted that. The most astonishing aspect was that these people were enjoying their lucrative positions despite having corruption charges against them. He realised that the corrupt were in control, thus he wanted to become a part of the corrupt cohort. Now, he has placed all of his trust in them and gained their loyalty.

This is how many young officers, among others, are lured into becoming corrupt in this accountability-free and lawless society. The minds and hearts of many young officers are tangled up in the world. They have obsessions and want to treasure possessions. All education, training and capacity building organisations have flatly failed to tell them that corrupt people are thieves and beggars. They have failed to sensitise the youth towards greed, corruption, dishonesty and envy. We have to do better by penalising them instead of hiring, rehiring and promoting them.

Hashim Abro

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2016.

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