In recent years and months, we have concentrated greatly on scams involving those holding top positions. Of course, such misuse of public money affects us all and is unacceptable. But it is also petty corruption, lower down the ladder of power, which also has a highly negative impact on the lives of people and the conduct of their daily affairs. This, too, is something that requires more attention. The PML-N government has sworn it will fiercely battle corruption. It must now devise a strategy to do so at every tier, keeping in mind the current, warped nature of people’s dealings with vital services such as the police. If it can make any headway in this, a significant difference would be made in the quality of life led by people, who are quite evidently, desperate to escape the mesh of dishonesty in which they have been entrapped for too long.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2013.
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It is true that corruption is not limited to the top, but is part of everyday dealings with police and other officials. But we should not forget the army. The Pakistani army controls 70 per cent of Pakistan's economy. According to reports, the defense budget for the next year is being increased by another 15%.
But the "buck" does not stop at what is allocated to defence in the annual budget. A system of "legalised corruption" devours a major share of the country's limited resources.
Army officers are allocated plots in affluent localities for throw-away prices, and their children get the best education for free. Their families receive excellent health services without paying a penny, in addition to furnished accommodations, domestic help and rations, all at no charge. To ensure these luxuries, resources are often diverted from the social sector to the military through covert avenues. It is true that complete corruption eradication is impossible. But our objective should be to reduce it considerably. But the effort should not be targeted against politicians for political gains only. It s reported that recently a senior US official is reported to have said that 'In Pakistan everybody can be bought'. That statement is disturbing