The PM has urged upon the people to give democracy a chance, but it is his own government which refuses to give a fair chance to democracy to take roots in Pakistan. How else can we explain the controversy over $260 billion gold reserves in Balochistan, or the $30 million fine that the federal government is paying to the ADB for not implementing its requirements for transparency, or the reckless killing of men, women and children in Karachi and, even worse still, the ultimate sin by this regime not to respect the verdicts of Supreme Court of Pakistan. Can the Prime Minister explain who is responsible for harassing Sherry Rehman at her residence in Karachi and does this conform to their policy of reconciliation?
The former president of Pakistan who died recently was given an undignified burial, whilst a fugitive wanted for 60 criminal cases was given a ceremonial burial. When former convicts, or men found guilty of financial malpractices, with hardly any education, are nominated to senior executive assignments in Oil and Gas Development Corporation, Pakistan Internationl Airline, National Highway Authority, Tourism Corporation of Pakistan, Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan Railways, National Insurance Corporation etc, the state exchequer will be bled of all its scarce resources.
If the President was to abuse his discretionary powers to pardon those convicted for corruption, than this would only encourage others to plunder this unfortunate country, which explains our placing by Transparency International as the 34th most corrupt state.
Democracy does not give a ticket to an elected government to do as it wills, but it confines the executive to work within confines of the constitution and laws of the land. When elected governments indulge in rampant corruption and are not seen to prosecute those involved in pilfering the tax-payers money, it loses its democratic and constitutional moral authority and must, therefore, be rescinded or else leave.
Why should the people of Pakistan blame others through their conspiracy theories, when its paid civil and uniformed servants and elected office bearers defy the writ of the state, rule of law and its constitution. Democracy cannot survive if this onslaught from within does not end soon.
SYED IJAZ
Texas, USA
