Financial corruption

LAHORE: The US survived the 2008 economic recession that was instigated by the greed of big corporations and corporate executives. It was able to survive because its economy had the capacity to absorb the shock of such a disaster. It is still in the process of recovery. For an underdeveloped country like Pakistan, the biggest threat to its existence is terrorism within its borders, which if left unchecked, may render the country ungovernable. While external aggression unites a nation, internal dissension motivated by ethnic, sectarian divides or gross injustices and state-institutionalised inequalities can break even the strongest of nations. Only prompt, effective remedial measures taken across the board can avert this existential threat.

Unfortunately, Pakistan faces the cancer of terrorism bred by hate and waged by mercenaries and massive unchecked corruption, which has assumed the form of financial terrorism. The bonding between corrupt members of this exclusive club extends beyond political divides and to a few within the civil-cum-khaki bureaucracy, traders, drug traffickers, organised tax evaders, so-called religious parties and land grabbing mafia. The ease with which Tauqir Sadiq was facilitated to travel across two provinces, controlled by political parties poles apart, from an airport located next to the sensitive Afghan border and manned by sleuths of immigration, intelligence and the police, should give an insight to their commitment to save one another. Earlier, the whole nation stood by and watched as two prominent, but controversial men, were found guilty of tax evasion to the tune of Rs120 billion and Rs5 crore by none other than the Suddle Judicial Commission appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, with no attempt being made to prosecute either.

These financial terrorists have already destroyed our national airline, railways and road transportation system, education and health services, the National Highway Authority, Pakistan Steel Mills, the Federal Board of Revenue, the OGDC, Wapda, EOBI, etc. If criminals declared absconders by the Supreme Court can depart from Pakistan, then what can stop terrorists from not buying their way in or departing with ease from our international airports? These obscene compromises are an incentive for corruption to breed and gain strength in the country. While this cooperation among corrupt elements aims to save individuals who are caught red-handed, it also threatens to drive this country towards bankruptcy, anarchy and disintegration. Given the social acceptance within the elite for these thugs, men like Sadiq will return after spending a few billions on charity and public relations and will be accepted as prominent citizens and perhaps, even regain prominent public offices, where they will again indulge in loot and plunder, fully assured that there will be no accountability.

Malik Tariq Ali

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2013.