Leaping forward
No doubt, it is good news that corruption, which has plagued deep into the system, is finally being investigated. However, one wonders why these cases were not taken up earlier, especially since the Bureau was aware of their existence. Given the present strained relations between the PPP and the PML-N, the latter will certainly sound out the familiar cry of victimisation, which has been heard multiple times before; both in the context of NAB and other accountability bodies, such as the Ehtehsab Bureau which ran under the Sharif brothers. In fact, this has been an important reason why previous attempts to investigate corruption cases have failed repeatedly and as a result, accountability bodies have earned little or no credibility.
Comments made by President Asif Ali Zardari to practise total impartiality in the NLC scandal, further strengthens belief that this will most likely not be the case this time around. This is rather unfortunate since there is no denying that we need accountability. Corruption and money laundering by officials has corroded the system and brought our nation on the brink of collapse. We also need able bodies that can stand above politics and victimisation. This is where we have failed repeatedly on previous occasions. The sudden spurt of activity by NAB is already under scrutiny. For this reason it is vital that it be carried out in a manner which is transparent and impartial so there is no finger-pointing.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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Shabaz Sharif don’t accept Zardari as President and now Sharif is saying that he don’t accept Gilani as Prime Minister.Sheeda Sahib, If you two brothers don’t accept the President and Prime Minster of Government of Pakistan, how can you expect people of the four provinces to accept Shahbaz Sharif as the Chief Minister of Punjab and his government? Both of them are the part of the government and remain part of the government unless the President and the Prime Minister step down.
These are are only gimmicks to betray masses. Leaders of political parties use politics as means to protect and promote their self interests. Generals and bureaucrats are also in league with rulers. Accountability department has not done anything that has benefited people at bottom. This department serves as tool by rulers to prolong their stay in power. Top officials in NAB also show loyalty to rulers to enjoy perks and privileges and use their all capabilities to please their bosses. Transparency much trumpeted is still a dream. People have lost hope in rulers and various institutions of the state. History of East India Company is being repeated. Our rulers are more loyal to foreigners than own people. The state of affairs is critical. US and its allies are also implementing their cruel policies through through our rulers to suppress masses. Why they turn this land as part of their own empire to save people of this land from exploitation and terrorism..
Of course it has to be impartial but than impartiality works both ways. After endless editorials of telling the PPP that you can't tell the courts to take up cases against others I think you can't really tell NAB to do the same.
Are you expecting rehman malik to start a fair investigation??? These are only election stunt which are played by government .... I also disagree that the previous trial by nab was un fair because it clearly showed that Mr. President was guilty in sub marines case and ones who thought that he was innocent should understand now about the cruelty of Mr.10 %
A pragmatic and balanced editorial by ET. The cases against Sharifs are very obvious. They got huge loans and they did not pay. Where is the politics or bad timing in it? These cases have been swept under the rug when Sharifs signed a 10 years agreement with Gen Mush and King of SA. The maligned NRO had thousands of beneficiaries not just Zardari. Some of the beneficiaries had multiple cases of murders against them. Now the Sharifs have started a jihad against the govt and NRO with the help of SC, this means the cases against them also stand revived. Now it is level playing field. Instead of PCO judges only beating up on the elected leaders the Sharifs and not so sharif including generals are going to be tried for their corruption. It is a good thing that PML-N went against the PPP and Zardari who were elected despite the Swiss cases. Now the shoe is on the other foot and the facts should come out.