By Syed Arif Hussaini

December 14, 2012

Pakistan in the Quagmire of Corruption

 

The annual report of the Transparency International for 2012, released last week, has raised Pakistan’s rank from 42 last year to 33 now in its index of 176 countries surveyed ranking them according to the level of corruption -1 being highly corrupt and 100 being clean.

The corruption scenario has thus become more depressing.

With the exception of the ruling elite who have managed to usurp both pelf and power, the rest of the population is forced to lead a nightmarish life with basic amenities dwindling to almost extinction. There is not even a ray of hope. In the absence of hope what remains is an irreversible regression.

Public protests throughout the country on failure of the government to provide basic amenities indicate the bitterness and anger of the masses. Anger has never solved any problem; its outburst merely destroys whatever little one has and adds further to the existing misery.

The judiciary, under the leadership of the Chief Justice, has been in the recent past a major source of support for the common man. At the lower levels, the judiciary stood next only to the police in respect of corruption. Now the image of the highest echelon of judiciary has been subjected to a scandal in the case of Malik Riaz, the richest realtor of Pakistan who has alleged that he had bribed the Chief Justice’s son to buy influence with the father. The Chief Justice had been so far the only hope in a country drowning in slime.

The government, it seems, has forsaken its foremost responsibility of maintaining law and order. Law enforcing agencies pay more attention to the security of the ruling elite; countering crime figures is relegated to a remote back burner. Greed, mother of corruption, thus holds sway in all walks of life now.

The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) issued by Gen. Musharraf on October 5, 2007 provided the spurt to the spread of the canker of corruption. It has perhaps been the biggest act of corruption in the history of Pakistan and, ironically, by an individual who had taken the reins of government primarily to end corruption and had actually succeeded in noticeably reducing it in the upper echelon of government. The “rip-off Ordinance”, the “black law” white-washed the numerous charges of corruption against his prime rival, Benazir, and her husband in order to seek their support for his bid for another term as President of the country. Emanating from selfish motives, it cost Musharraf his job, Benazir her life, and caused the nation to suffer Zardari, a monument to corruption and its brazenfaced patron.

No wonder, the Ordinance has been struck down by the Supreme Court. But, the damage had already been done. Zardari Government has defied the orders of the Court in the matter.

In the name of democracy, an extortionist regime has been foisted on the people. Moderates call it a plutocracy –government of the rich by the rich for the rich. The cynics call the system a kleptocracy, literally ‘rule by thieves’. And, the burden of the song of the ruling elites, including the “friendly opposition”, is to protect the system at all cost!

Corruption, according to a UN study, is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and causes governmental instability. It discourages foreign direct investment; and, small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs’ required because of corruption.

Pakistan’s economy, which had been recording 6-7 per cent annual growth, suddenly started going south with the advent of the present regime. Mismanagement and corruption have combined to take the economy down and add to the bitterness of the cup of the common man.

The Amnesty International, the premier world body keeping records of corruption, has named Pakistan police as the most frequent recipient of bribes. Ironically, poorer people of the country are twice as likely to pay bribes for basic services, such as utilities, medical services and education than wealthier people.

The head of the Transparency International has commented: “Corruption is regressive tax. The marginalized and poor remain the most vulnerable to extortion”.

Another Chair of the organization had remarked earlier: “Political elite and their cronies continue to take kickbacks at every opportunity. Hand in glove with corrupt business people, they are trapping whole nations in poverty and hampering sustainable development.”

In Pakistan, corruption has become the norm and honesty but a joke. Plunder has acquired a seductive logic of its own. The leadership of the country finds it difficult to reconcile personal with national interest or to differentiate between personal and public funds.

The situation was quite different till the dismemberment of Pakistan in December 1971. Even during the rule of Z. A. Bhutto, corruption was not the norm. But, it did mark the beginning of major kickbacks in defense purchases.

Bureaucratic corruption too acquired a justification during his period. His 1973 constitution did away with the chapter on Civil Services that had guaranteed security of service to civil servants. That chapter had formed part of all previous constitutions. By removing that, Mr. Bhutto placed the careers of senior civil servants at his personal pleasure. Summary dismissal of some terrorized them all. The ensuing insecurity and the enormous administrative and financial powers at their disposal tempted them to seek security in nest eggs acquired through illegal means. Since they knew the ropes, they guided the political bosses into ways and means of making money.

The nationalization of key industries and of banks opened innumerable new portals of corruption for the bureaucrats. They made a beeline for positions in these nationalized institutions to suck them dry. That is how the system of bad bank loans started. Corruption, nepotism and incompetence became the hallmark of the alliance between the politicians and the bureaucrats. The rule of law through institutions yielded to governance by individuals through cabals in which the bureaucrat became indistinguishable from the politicians.

Gen. Zia turned a blind eye to corruption in order to deflect any challenge to his position. The Afghan war brought a lot of foreign money and weapons into the country. Easy access to weapons led to what is known as the Klashnikov culture. A new breed of nova riche came to the surface, called drug barons. To avoid any hindrance in their operations, they readily greased the palms of the concerned officials, strengthening the threads of corruption in national fiber. The two stints each of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif had to be terminated on charges of corruption.

Gen. Musharraf, as already mentioned earlier, did take some steps to suppress corruption, but his lust for power made him compromise his position. First, he entered into a deal with the Nawaz family whereby its ill-gotten wealth was grabbed in return for the permission to all members of the family to go into exile in Saudi Arabia. Then came the NRO. It gave amnesty to Benazir from action in the 11 cases of corruption against her in the courts of Pakistan and some in foreign lands. Farooq Leghari, the President of the country hand-picked by herself, had accused her of having looted $1.5 billion of public money. That makes the amnesty, under NRO, the biggest money laundering case in the annals of world corruption. It turned honesty into a joke and plunder into a facet of patriotism. The most deleterious effect of the amnesty law has been the opening of the doors of the country to the biggest crooks and scoundrels.

Making money is a pleasant pastime, Zardari had once remarked. Perhaps. But, considering the sky-high pile he has accumulated, he appears more like a sick person, a paranoid. He is unlikely to ever use all that wealth. No wonder, he lives in constant fear of violent death. Will the people of Pakistan remember him fondly after his demise? Highly doubtful!

 

PREVIOUSLY

Desire and the Culture of Instant Gratification Is Iran the Next Target?

Dollar vs. Euro -A Question of Hegemony

Zardari’s Release Indicative of Reconciliation?The Siren Song of Sale and SavingsChristmastime – A Festive OccasionPak-China Ties Keep Growing FirmlyAmerican Shopping MallsTsunami - an Asian Disaster Dr. Cohen’s Thought-Provoking Work on PakistanAlice in the FreelandBalochistan: Crisis & Conflict Iran the Next Target, but The Common Man

Chechnya: Chaos to Continue in the CaucasusGlobal Warming and Emulators of the OstrichA Treat of Mujtaba’s Wit and Humor Reflections on the Idea of Pakistan‘Engaging India’ - A Valuable Book by Strobe Talbott
Memories & Nostalgia
American Nice GuyismBalochistan at the Verge of Revolutionary Changes?India as Seen by Early Muslim Chroniclers India, China Leading a Resurgent AsiaThe Pain at the Petrol Pump Mujtaba Husain - a Humorist Par Excellence Musings of a Superannuated Man in AmericaThe Pangs of WaitingChaos and Killings in Uzbekistan Prospects of the Pain at the Petrol Pump
French Voters Reject Proposed EU Constitution
Why Turkey’s Entry into European Union Is Being BlockedWhat Ails Thee, My Native Land?The Deeper Malaise of Pakistan’s PolityResistance to Change in the System Feudalism’s Aversion to EducationRhode Island: An Oxymoron, a ParadoxThe Spotted Owl Wins against Bush AdministrationSufi Sage of Philadelphia and His Devotee from TorontoTo Ease the Pain at the Petrol PumpPat Robertson - a Loose Canon?Monkey Menace in New DelhiSeptember - A Witness to WarsThe Trouble with Islam Today Two Revealing Books on AfghanistanTo Lighten the Tedium of Air Travel
Islamabad as I Remember It
China’s White Paper Upholds Its “Democratic Dictatorship”The Brief MessageHalloween: The Fun-Filled FantasyPractical Joking: The Sport of Creeps?Senate Rebuffs Bush on War in IraqBush’s Unproductive Visit to ChinaGlobal Warming or Terrorism: Which Is a Bigger Threat?A High Achiever Shows the WaySyriana - An Expose of Intrigues of Oil CompaniesHow Washington Sold Its Soul for Saudi CrudeAlice in the FreelandAmerican EnglishThe Battle of the BulgeLost in CyberspaceHamas Vote Victory Invites Wrath of the WestNo Relief in Sight from Pain at the Petrol PumpPolitics of the Cartoons’ ControversyFollies & Fantasies of the FreaksMujtaba’s New Book and Urdu Magazine ‘Al Aqreba’Bush’s South Asian VisitFeudalism’s Aversion to Education

Mergers and Cartels Produce Unprecedented Oil Profits?

V for Vendetta – A Controversial Political Thriller A Treat of Mujtaba’s Wit and Humor Media Buzz on Invasion of IranChina’s Charm OffensiveTo Pump or Not to Pump, That Is Not the QuestionUndocumented Immigrants, No Social PariahsBush’s Subtle Approach to Immigration Issue The Da Vinci Code – A Mega Money Minter Randolph Hearst: The Media Mogul Hearst and Disney: A Comparative Study Pakistan’s Political Scenario Portends Violence but No Basic ChangeChatty Columns of a Remarkable Young WomanMountbatten Messed up Partition of IndiaChechnya after Blast Kills Its Rebel LeaderBombay Blasts and Some Reflections on TerrorismA Good Addition to Urdu Literature Lieberman’s Defeat in Democratic Primary Asifa Nishat - a Deep Thinking Urdu PoetWar In Iraq: The Crucial Issue in Midterm ElectionsBalochistan: Shape of Things to Come Khalid Khaja - an Eminent Urdu Poet, Writer & SpeakerSeptember - a Witness to Wars Military Coup in Thailand Triggers ReminiscencesMusharraf Pulls No Punches in His MemoirHasan Chishti - a Man of Letters, a Purveyor of HappinessHalloween: The Fun-Filled Fantasy Practical Joking: The Sport of Creeps? To Lighten the Tedium of Air Travel Bajaur: Action against Religious Seminary Raises QuestionsRumsfeld’s Exit Marks the Beginning of Shift of Course in IraqBorat: A Comedy of Discomfort and of Even OutrageRuler Derby in PakistanNO God But GOD - A Rational Account of Islam & A Call For ReformationTo Ease the Pain at the Petrol Pump Christmastime - a Festive OccasionJimmy Carter Exposes Oppression & Apartheid by Israel

India & China Lead Resurgent AsiaProspects of Pain at the Petrol PumpA Highly Informative and Thought-Provoking BookSomalia: Ethiopia Rides the TigerPakistan: The Shifting Political ScenarioMujtaba Hussain - A Purveyor of HappinessSurge in Suicide Blasts in PakistanSpecter of War Haunting IranFrenzied Fanatic Fells Female MinisterMusharraf Overtly Pressured and Covertly Remonstrated Suspension of Pak Chief Justice Triggers ControversyMarch 23: Memories & NostalgiaThe Ruler Derby in PakistanProspects of the Pain at Petrol PumpAmerican Islam: An Investigative StudyTurmoil in the Tribal Belt of Pakistan?A Scholar’s Gripping Account of Hyderabadi DiasporaOn Being a Senior CitizenTurkey: In the Cleft of a Cultural ConflictLost in CyberspaceAkbar Ahmad’s Book on Current Challenges to Muslim SocietiesAsma’s Fascinating Book on IslamIrshad Manji Points out the Trouble with Islam Today A Scholar’s Plea for the Resumption of IjtehadThe Mystique of CaliforniaKnighthood for Salman RushdieUpheaval in Palestine: National Objective in Ruins“Jinnah & Pakistan” – A Worthwhile BookLal Masjid and Beyond

Musings of a Superannuated Man
Significance of General Elections in Turkey Musharraf-Benazir Tango to the Tune Called by the USReflections on Independence DayNostalgia for the HomelandPakistan: The Corruption Scenario Changing Political Dynamic in PakistanPakistan: Current Political Crisis and the Common ManThe Battle of the BulgeOn Being a Senior CitizenWhen Memory Starts Faltering (1)The Musharraf-Benazir Deal: Its Nature & FutureHalloween: A Fun-Filled Fantasy Is Pakistan the Most Dangerous Nation?Lost in CyberspaceSurge of Violence in PakistanWhat Ails Thee, My Native Land?

Washington’s Fear Mongers Focus on Pakistan’s Nukes

Akbar Ahmad’s Book on Current Challenges to Muslim Societies
The Startling US Intelligence Report on Iran’s Nuclear Plan
Christmastime: A Festive Occasion
Desire and the Culture of Instant Gratification
Bhutto’s Murder Plunges Pakistan Deep into Turmoil
Would Musharraf Be Able to Weather the Storm?
Feudalism’s Aversion to Education
‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ – A Film Based on a Best-Seller Book
The Kite Runner: An Absorbing Book, a Wonderful Film
Hillary Clinton - First Woman to Bid for the White House
Whither Pakistan?
Who Should Get My Vote?
Pakistan: The Emerging Political Scenario
More Pain at the Petrol Pump
On Being a Senior Citizen
Sufi Sage of Philadelphia and His Devotee from Toronto
‘The Pakistani Bride’ – A Gripping Novel by Bapsi Sidhwa
New Pak Premier Faces Daunting Tasks
The Mystique of California
Mark Twain: America’s Greatest Humorist
Jimmy Carter Exposes Oppression & Apartheid
‘The Trial of Dara Shikoh’ - A Thought-Provoking Play
No Reprieve from the Pain at the Gas Station
‘The Culture of Tolerance’ - A Bold, Provocative and Discordant Book
Pakistan’s Politicians Pursue Personal Ends
Randolph Hearst: The Media Mogul
Hearst and Disney: A Comparative Study
Fishing: Facts & Fantasies, Fibs & Frolics
Mujtaba Hussain: A Purveyor of Happiness
Pakistan’s Fledgling Government Fumbles, Falters and Flounders
Mujtaba Hussain  - a Humorist Par Excellence
A Mockery of Democracy
The Kite Runner - An Absorbing Book, A Wonderful Film
Another Attempt Foiled to Set up Temple in Taj Mahal
Pakistan’s Premier Spy Agency at the Center of Controversies
Independence Day: Memories & Nostalgia
US-Russia Conflict in Georgia - More Than a Turf War
Caspian Sea Oil and Gas
Zardari Presidency – A Period of Civilian Dictatorship?
Wrinkle in US-Pakistan Relations
The Taliban and Beyond
America’s Money-mad Financial Aristocracy behind the Crash
Halloween  - the Fun-filled Fantasy
The Culture of Instant Gratification
Does the World Financial Crisis Portend Systemic Shift?
Post-Civil War America (1865-1900) and Post-Independence Pakistan
World Summits to Devise Ways to Overcome Global Economic Crisis
Pakistan’s Fiscal Management Gone awry
Chitranwala Katora and Chutkiyan
Pakistan’s FOREX Scandal
Deepak Chopra on Bombay Massacre 
The Siren Song of Sale and Savings

The Brief Message
Christmastime - a Festive Occasion
Christmastime - a Festive Occasion
Israel Unleashes Hell in Gaza - Why?
Bush Quits the China Shop
Obama Launches His Agenda
Erdogan Condemns Israeli ‘Barbarity’ in Gaza at World Forum
Sufi Sage of Philadelphia and His Devotee from Toronto
Zardari’s Visit Brings Pak-China Ties into Focus

American Islam - An Investigative Study
The Swat Deal’s Unintended Consequences
Terrorism Reaches the Heart of Pakistan
Reflections on the Idea of Pakistan
Mark Twain -- America’s Greatest Humorist
Obama’s Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy
G20 Consensus on Measures to Revive Paralyzed Economy
How Washington Sold Its Soul for Saudi Crude
Some Interesting Aspects of Taliban’s Antics
The Taliban Phenomenon
The Taliban and Beyond – a Valuable Study
Taliban - Challenge and Response
Irshad Manji’s ‘The Trouble with Islam Today’
Barack Obama’s Book ‘The Audacity of Hope’
Tamil Separatists’ Defeat and Surrender
‘The Clash of Civilizations’ - A Questionable Thesis

The Allures and Oddities of America – I
The Allures and Oddities of America – 2
Post-Civil War America (1865-1900) and Post-Independence Pakistan
Living in a Culture of Instant Gratification
A Thousand Splendid Suns: Another Gripping Novel of Khaled Hosseini
Sanger’s Book Holds Special Significance for Pakistanis
Another Riveting Book of Dr. Amjad Hussain
A Collage of Thought-Provoking Write-ups
Baitullah Mehsud and after
Feudalism’s Aversion to Education
Afghan Election - Modernity Conflicting with Taliban’s Retrogression
‘ The Culture of Tolerance’ - a Bold, Provocative and Discordant Book
September - a Witness to Wars
On Being a Senior Citizen
Does the World Financial Crisis Portend Systemic Shift?
The Battle of the Bulge
The Crisis of Islamic Civilization - A Thought-Provoking Book
Significance of Pak Army Offensive in S. Waziristan
Halloween: A Fun-Filled Fantasy
The Mystique of California
NRO - ‘Non-Issue’, ‘Dead & Buried’ or Potential Time-Bomb
The Dawn of Democracy in Gilgit-Baltistan
Pakistan under Zardari Watch
The Chess Player
Obama's Well-Crafted Afghanistan Plan
Obama’s Odyssey of Self-Discovery
Christmastime: A Festive Occasion
The Siren Song of Sale and Savings
Zardari in Crisis, Machiavelli in Love
Humorist Mujtaba Husain on America
Karachi in Grip of Fear and Volatility
Pakistan : The Corruption Scenario
Musings of a Superannuated Man
Dr Aafia Siddiqui: A Conundrum?
Pranks of Old Age
When Memory Starts Faltering
‘My Name Is Khan’ - A Compelling Film
Alice in the Freeland
Reflections on the Idea of Pakistan
Issues behind the US-Israel Truce
Does the World Financial Crisis Portend Systemic Shift?
Obama’s Lightning Visit to Kabul
Grandma, Grandpa
Alice in the Free land
Musings of a Superannuated Man
Hasan Chishti - a Man of Letters and a Purveyor of Happiness
Post-Civil War America and Post-Independence Pakistan

Randolph Hearst: The Media Mogul
An Odyssey of Self Discovery
The Chess Player
Sufi Sage of Philadelphia and His Devotee from Toronto
Israeli Lobby Forces US Media into Aberrations
Ethnic Clashes in Central Asian Republic of Kyrgrzstan
Afghan War: Failure to Win Triggers the Blame Game
Fishing: Facts & Fantasies, Fibs & Frolics

English Version of Yousufi’s Remarkable Memoir ‘Zarguzisht’
The Saga of Fake Degrees and Violation of Media Freedom
Shariat - Need for Review and Change?
Islamabad : Its Beauty & Oddities
Independence Day: Memories & Nostalgia
Alexander the Great, Zardari the …

“No God but God”: A Rational Account of Islam & a Call for Reformation
Altaf Hussain's Call for a Revolution
September: A Witness to Wars
What Devoured Glamorous Pakistan
The Common Man of Pakistan
Intriguing Murder of Dr. Imran Farooq
Asifa Nishat: A Remarkable Urdu Poet of California
Parkinson’s Law and Pakistan Today
Halloween: A Fun-Filled Fantasy
Bureaucratic Antics
Pak Parliament Likely to Talk out the Land Bill
Spate of Terrorist Blasts at Holy Shrines of Pakistan
Reflections on Terrorism
Does the World Financial Crisis Portend Systemic Shift?
Hasan Chishti - A Man of Letters, a Purveyor of Happiness
Fussing and Fuming over Wikileaks Documents
Pakistan in the Quagmire of Corruption
Christmastime - A Festive Occasion
The Genius behind the Mouse
Randolph Hearst – The Media Mogul
Hearst & Disney: A Comparative Study
Desire and the Culture of Instant Gratification
The Turmoil in Tunisia
The Wind of Change Threatening Authoritarian Regimes
Egypt Insurgency Stirs Soul of Arab World
Pakistan in the Quagmire of Corruption
Monkey Menace in New Delhi
American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion
Glimpse at World Oil Scenario
The Crisis of Islamic Civilization - A Thought-provoking Book

In Tumultuous Arab World, Gaddafi Next to Exit
The Arab Awakening
Tinderbox  -  The Past and Future of Pakistan

Reflections on the Idea of Pakistan
On Being a Senior Citizen
The Mystique of California
Mark Twain - America’s Greatest Humorist
Post Civil War America and Post Independence Pakistan
Musings of a Superannuated Man
The Siren Song of Sale and Savings
Pak-Us Relationship Frayed but Symbiotic

Why Was Saleem Shahzad Assassinated?
Syria and the Uprisings in the Arab World
Turkish Leader Emerges with a Hat Trick in Elections
Obama’s Bold Decision to Pull out of Afghanistan
Turkey : Reminiscences
Turkey: Moving towards a Consensus in Cultural Conflict
Pakistan ’s Ruling Elite
‘ The Culture of Tolerance’ – a Bold, Provocative and Discordant Book
Norwegian Mass Massacre Failed to Promote Islamophobia

Nostalgia for the Homeland
Ethan Casey’s Second Book on Pakistan
Who Is Anna Hazare?  Any Counterpart in Pakistan?
Libyan Revolution Ushers in an Era of Hope and Happiness
Invisible Hands behind Karachi Carnage
September - A Witness to Wars
Living in a Culture of Instant Gratification
Murder of Burhanuddin Rabbani
ABCD

Anwar Khawaja’s New Book “Sufid Pathar”
The Wandering Falcon - Riveting Tale about Pakistan’s Edge
Halloween: A Fun-Filled Fantasy
'Occupy Wall Street' Movement Intrigues the World
Syria about to Experience the Arab Spring
What Ails Thee, My Native Land?
‘Memogate’ Stirs Political Crisis in Pakistan

Musings of a Superannuated Man
US-Pakistan Relations: Saner Counsels Needed
The Brief Message
War on Iran: A Risky Option
Christmastime - A Festive Occasion
Imran Khan: From Political Irrelevance to Center Stage
Pakistan Society in the Cleft of a Conflict
Pakistan : Conflict, Crisis and Compromise
Alexander the Great: Zardari the …
Altaf Hussain’s Call for a Revolution
‘Pakistan: A Personal History’ b y Imran Khan
America: A Nation on Wheels
Balochistan in Spotlight
The Battle of the Bulge

Sharmeen Chinoy’s Oscar Win a Cause Celebre for Pakistan
Desire and the Culture of Instant Gratification
National Day Evokes Nostalgia for the Homeland
The Bane of Sardari System in Balochistan
Unabated Pain at the Petrol Pump

Zardari’s One-Day Visit to India
Obama Avoids the Folly of War on Iran
Taliban Attack in Kabul
American Islam - The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion

‘Charlie Wilson’s War’: A Film Based on a Best-Seller Book
Jimmy Carter Exposes Oppression & Apartheid
Chitranwala Katora and Chutkiyan
The Sufi Sage of Philadelphia
Pakistan: New Budget & Shape of Economy
Dr Arsalan Iftikhar Involved in Bribery Case?

Fazluz-Zia Sahar: A Distinctive Urdu Poet of California
Parkinson’s Law and Pakistan Today
Pakistan Stuck in the Quagmire of Corruption
In the Gadgeteer’s Dreamland
From Barber to Hair Stylist
The Common Man of Pakistan
Pakistan’s Ruling Elite
Syria and the Uprisings in the Arab World
Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s Book on the Decade of Democracy - 1988-1999
To Lighten the Tedium of Air Travel
Pakistan in the Quagmire of Corruption
Fishing: Facts and Fancy, Fibs and Frolics
American Islam - The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion

The Bane of the Sardari System in Balochistan
Bureaucratic Antics
Lost in Cyberspace
Pain at the Gas Station!
Balochistan in Spotlight
Halloween - A Fun-Filled Fantasy
Who Should Get My Vote?
A Definitive Book on Ali Brothers by a Scion of the Family
Mujtaba’s New Book and Urdu Magazine ‘Al Aqreba’
Alexander the Great:  Zardari the …
A Scholar’s Plea for the Resumption of Ijtehad


Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.