Brought to book

There is a growing sense that accountability is taking root in what was previously barren ground. Those that believed themselves to be protected by the culture of impunity that has prevailed for decades suddenly find themselves exposed and sometimes detained. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had for long been regarded as little more than a decoration piece, one of those things that were nice to have but not a lot of use. Times change. NAB today finds itself busy, with the latest object of its attention being the Eden Housing Society scam.

Without unpacking the complexities of the case around 10,000 people had invested billions of rupees in a housing scheme that transpired to be fraudulent. Those at the helm of the fraud pocketed the money and promptly disappeared abroad, a rare instance where the term ‘looting’ may be appropriately applied. Today it is reported that one of the fugitives, who happens to be a son-in-law of a former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), Iftikhar Chaudhry, has been arrested in Dubai regarding the scam in what has been termed a ‘breakthrough’ in the case. The arrest in the UAE by the Federal Investigation Agency was an execution of warrants issued by NAB — a welcome example of successful inter-agency cooperation.

There are ramifications that may touch the former CJP himself, and more arrests are anticipated with the PM himself taking a close interest in developments. Well he might, as a group of affectees of the Eden Housing Society scam had held a demonstration outside the Lahore residence of the PM that he could hardly ignore. They demanded that other absconders, some in Canada, also be returned. They also demanded, with little hope of success it has to be said, that those responsible be made to finish the work they had promised and hand over plots and land. Whatever the eventual outcome here is an example of a government, and government agencies, putting its money where its mouth is. More of the same please. In large doses.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2018.

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