The PPP-led federal government and the judiciary have been at loggerheads with each other lately to ascertain their supremacy. The judiciary is taking up all those cases of corruption which involved the PPP ministers and those appointed by them on high profile jobs. But it has ignored the cases which are against the leaders of PML(N) and other political parties. It is not just the PPP that is involved in corruption, generals, civil bureaucrats, businessmen and many in judiciary are also involved in this act.
The constitution lays down clear responsibilities and limits for different state institutions and provides a framework to act within. The Supreme Court is threatening senior bureaucrats to implement their orders. There is no doubt that government is flouting the orders of Supreme Court. The court is pursuing vigorously cases such as NICL case which involved Moonis Elahi and Hajj scandal in which the son of Prime Minister is charged.
Why is the government transferring or suspending those bureaucrats that are investigating the corruption cases? That the PM has a prerogative to appoint and transfer any government officials does not justify this. Nobody should be above the law. The objective of any government in Pakistan should be to eradicate corruption which has spread like cancer. If the government tries to protect those who have committed crime, then we cannot call it good governance.
Accountability is imperative in a democracy. It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court to protect and safeguard the interests of general public against the government’s misdeeds. Both judiciary and government should work together for the people and should not give preference to personal interests over the national interests.
SYED TAHIR
Lahore
