Checking corruption
It is necessary that the full course be run and the accusations we have heard over and over again be investigated.
The Supreme Court had in December last year ordered that the allegations against Mr Ashraf be probed and the whole affair of the RPPs looked into. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The indictment of former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the case involving Rental Power Projects (RPP) brings us into the heart of yet another corruption scandal, which has shaken our country and reared up its head again and again over the past few years. Mr Ashraf was accused of involvement in allocating permits for non-functional RPPs during his tenure as minister for water and power in the cabinet of Yousaf Raza Gilani and for amassing millions of rupees through such acts. The Supreme Court had in December last year ordered that the allegations against Mr Ashraf be probed and the whole affair of the RPPs looked into.
Certainly, it is necessary that this happens. We have seen too many people get away with corruption and wrongdoing of various kinds in our country. The pattern must not be repeated over and over again. The circle can be broken only if persons found guilty are punished for their crimes and an example set to others. The evidence against Mr Ashraf will, of course, need to be produced; his lawyer says none exists. But we must hope the law will take its rightful course so that justice can be done.
Scams of this kind hurt not only individuals or the government but the nation as a whole. The RPP affair affected the way our country was run in many ways. Leading experts around the world have already pointed out that poor governance and corrupt practices are closely tied. If the charges against Mr Ashraf can be proved, the case would be testimony to this. It is necessary that the full course be run and the accusations we have heard over and over again be investigated.
There is no doubt much will emerge during the hearings featuring the former prime minister. As the case proceeds, we can only hope the truth will come to light and on the basis of it, penalties meted out where and when they are deserved so that we can break free of the net of corruption which has surrounded our nation and prevented it from breathing freely or moving forward towards the progress and development it so urgently needs.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2014.
Certainly, it is necessary that this happens. We have seen too many people get away with corruption and wrongdoing of various kinds in our country. The pattern must not be repeated over and over again. The circle can be broken only if persons found guilty are punished for their crimes and an example set to others. The evidence against Mr Ashraf will, of course, need to be produced; his lawyer says none exists. But we must hope the law will take its rightful course so that justice can be done.
Scams of this kind hurt not only individuals or the government but the nation as a whole. The RPP affair affected the way our country was run in many ways. Leading experts around the world have already pointed out that poor governance and corrupt practices are closely tied. If the charges against Mr Ashraf can be proved, the case would be testimony to this. It is necessary that the full course be run and the accusations we have heard over and over again be investigated.
There is no doubt much will emerge during the hearings featuring the former prime minister. As the case proceeds, we can only hope the truth will come to light and on the basis of it, penalties meted out where and when they are deserved so that we can break free of the net of corruption which has surrounded our nation and prevented it from breathing freely or moving forward towards the progress and development it so urgently needs.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2014.