With the arrests of certain political figures, the uproar of
accountability is on its peak. The anger is visible during National Assembly
sessions which show that how they waste money of masses. “Tabdili Sarkar” wants
to hold everyone accountable which is good but along with accountability
performanceis required too. The anti-corruption narrative holders must also
focus on diminishing of incompetency. Masses do not want to see every politician
and ruler to be hanged.But, they only want security, respect and equal rights
for all.
The history of Pakistan is one of corruption and dishonesty by its leaders but
let’s hope that time has come for a change and our next generations can feel
proud to be citizens of a country where there is true accountability and
minimised corruption. Where there is a will there is a way!
Accountability drives are not a new phenomenon in Pakistan. Since the days of
Ayub Khan’s martial law till today, many if not most of the regimes have
attempted to clamp down on corruption. But all of these drives came with hidden
motives, hence there could be no true accountability. When those who were
supposed to be role models for their integrity were involved in corruption and
nepotism, Pakistan sank deeper into a vicious cycle of financial and
administrative chaos and mismanagement.
The culture of bribes, kick-backs and money laundering deepened its roots and
was accepted in the corridors of power, as well as the popular level. Now, when
the country is facing a severe economic predicament because of serious debt
crisis, dwindling exports, depleted foreign exchange reserves and low
remittances, everyone’s attention has turned towards corruption. Accountability
is being termed the only way to pull Pakistan from the brink of economic
disaster.
There was once a time when the country was respected in the international
community. Our ethics began to erode post-1971. That was when the politicisation
of our state institutions began. It’s when those in power began compromising on
merit, and when inefficiency and nepotism received patronage from those in
power.
There has beenseventy years, so many governments have been toppled due to the
reason of the corruption and every government made big promises for full and
fair accountability but nothing has ever happened, In these years, our country
has never witnessed accountability in true sense. Hence due to lack of
accountability corruption has gained deep roots in our society that it has
become part and parcel of our life. Secondly, our country has also indebted by
foreign loans. Half of our annual budget goes in paying the interest money on
these loans. The total population of Pakistan is almost 220 million out of which
more than 40 percent live in deplorable condition. They neither have their two
time meal nor do they have access to clean drinking water, electricity, gas,
education and proper medical facilities. Pakistan has reached to level where
accountability has become essential.
PMLN and PPP have no vision other than saving money laundering and the looted
wealth but Imran Khan has taken initiative and vowed to enforce ‘strict’
accountability. Since the process of accountability has started many different
voices are being heard. Those who are convicted in corruption or have the fear
of conviction are terming the process as political vendetta though it is not.
Moreover, it has also been said that economy and accountability cannot move
together which is totally absurd. Making the accountability process
controversial is very unfortunate. This is the same old gimmick which was used
in the past to stop or to create hurdles in such initiatives. Democracy is
always supported by accountability.
What is essential for this accountability derive is that it start from the top
and secondly, no one should be spared if found guilty in corruption. Thirdly,
NAB should work independently and there should be zero tolerance for any
political intervention. Fourthly, the army has taken to task serving as well as
retired officers but now is judiciary’s turn irrespective of any concept of
sacred cow. A full and fair and across the board accountability process is
required to take this country ahead. Progress in Pakistan has already been
hindered in a major way by the fear of accountability that has been non-existent
and the corruption of the rulers.
Pakistan is needed to recover the money from corrupt elites and use that money
for the welfare of the people, to reduce poverty, in education and health
sectors. It can also be used for the development of poor regions like interior
of Sindh, Baluchistan, KPK and Gilgit Baltistan , as these regions have been
neglected in the past , then it will be so much beneficial for the unity of
Pakistan as people of these regions have been so much mislead by their own
corrupt national leaders who have used their grievances but themselves involved
in mega corruption. The solution for all the problems of Pakistan is rule of law
and respecting the contributions of all without any discrimination
The first Budget Of Pakistan TehreekInsaaf(PTI) without any doubt carried the
storm of rampant inflation which is unstoppable for the future also but do we
have been left with another option? The biggest mistake of PTI led government in
the beginning was, not to go to IMF timely as they were not fully aware about
the economic instability. They were same as others with no homework at all and
they also remained futile to communicate the real economic and systematic issues
of the country. Additionally, they came into power for the first time. Moreover,
task forces were made at the inception of the government. In Modern era, the
survival and success of every nation and country is measured through the
strength of its economy. Formation of inquiry commissionagainst loans to
determine the real looters of public exchequer is good step but it must start
from Musharraf’s reign. How the nations fall, is all about economic imbalance
they have!