Taking corruption lightly is self-deception

Why is there such a fuss about the hidden Panama accounts when a serving secretary to the government can horde Rs730 million far away from that beautiful, picturesque country? Such brazen audacity in committing mega corruption in the least developed province of Balochistan speaks volumes of Pakistan’s current moral crisis. To view it in the proper perspective, Balochistan’s budget was Rs230 billion and the total outlay for development is Rs54 billion for fiscal year 2015-16.
Surely, this was only a fraction of what has come to the surface. The corruption in Balochistan is extensive and covers practically every department of the government. Regrettably, senior FC officers posted in the province were recently tried for corruption and were subsequently removed from service.
It is an irony that the very purpose of the FC is to guard the frontiers and also to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. With relatively less oversight and unlimited black money in circulation, the temptations are great and it is easy to fall prey to them.
In a corruption-infested Pakistan, one often hears that ‘corruption is not a problem’. Even more disturbing is that many educated persons accept this fallacious theory even if they are not necessarily corrupt themselves, but seem prepared to co-exist with it.
They cite South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia as examples of countries that have developed at a fast pace in a corruption-ridden environment. They conveniently forget that there were several other factors that enabled their progress, like the level of education, availability of rich natural resources, foreign assistance and political stability.
Moreover, these people do not factor that economic progress in these countries accelerated as corruption was brought under control. The fastest and most spectacular change from poverty to affluence occurred in Singapore under the dynamic leadership of Lee Kuan-Yew who showed zero tolerance for corruption.
Malaysia progressed rapidly under the scrupulously honest Dr Mahathir. Another argument that is generally advanced is that corruption does not play a role in electoral politics. It may be true of societies that are being manipulated by some politicians to give corruption a broad acceptability. Will the US, Britain or Germany elect a leader with a blemished financial record? Did Sadiq Khan stand even the slightest chance of being elected the mayor of London if his integrity was under question? This does not imply that one is only seeking honesty as the sole criterion in our leaders. Ability to deliver services and good governance are critical factors as well but corruption acts as a serious impediment in the way of achieving these goals. This state of affairs shows that we have become numb to the core to the values that make a cohesive and progressive society.
Convoluted theories that corruption acts as a lubricant in developing societies is fed by vested interests that would like nascent states to suffer from perpetual poverty and turmoil. One may ask if the state is robbed of Rs730 million by a state functionary or politicians, is that still inconsequential? The hard reality is if corruption is not tackled seriously, the edifice of the state weakens to a point where it becomes dysfunctional.
The prime minister’s recent remark where he equates talk of corruption to terrorist activity is another facet of how the ruling party would like to remove the subject from the national discourse for its own comfort. A more logical response should have been that the government is ready to tackle this menace upfront. By taking this evasive position, it has betrayed weakness and a lack of commitment in dealing with vices.
A corrupt leadership, weak institutions, politics of patronage and society’s acceptance of corruption are some of the factors that have resulted in a serious crisis of morality. It would be instructive to examine how political parties have undermined their credibility due to dishonest practices.
The PPP has seriously suffered due to its soiled reputation. A similar fate met the ANP in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa when its reputation took a beating. These parties sacrificed merit over benefaction and personal interests sidelined national priorities. A culture of corruption has taken deep roots in Sindh that has prevented talent from coming to the fore. The people of Sindh are its worst victims. Whether Bilawal will be in a position to change the party’s course remains to be seen.
The prime minister’s focus on infrastructural development is fine but improving society is even more important to which he pays scant attention. Every country has its own standards of morality and the latest international scam of offshore accounts puts greater pressure on him to take the lead and define his own and the national response to it. What is the role of the clergy and religious political parties in fighting corruption?
The Council of Islamic Ideology remains silent on corruption but is very vocal on ensuring that no age limit is set for the marriage of young girls. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has remained focused on Haj and religious tourism, and has shown the least interest in societal improvements and religious harmony.
There is not a single year when its role in facilitating pilgrims does not come under severe criticism. The previous minister of religious affairs is facing corruption charges. The malady is widespread and government and private educational institutions are no exception and there is little oversight. Many madrassas have failed to open their books for audit. True, at times it is difficult to differentiate between misconduct and corruption but that should not provide an excuse for tolerating dishonesty.
Transparency International has placed Pakistan at the 117th postion in 2015. Corruption is clearly the most worrying national problem that can be tackled effectively provided there is a deliberate effort on the part of all institutions to curb it. NAB, the FIA and the Public Accounts Committee have to be reformed and strengthened. There has to be greater transparency in government contracts and overall functioning. If we are told that corruption is not a national problem, then we surely need to redefine our values. - Express Tribune