Indeed, corruption has become a way of life in our Pakistani society whereas corruption is a symbol of status amongst politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats in Sindh province. It is seen that a vast majority of corrupt to the core bureaucrats and technocrats are placed at the top positions in the province. On the contrary, honest, upright and dedicated government officers who believe in their personal and professional dignity are cornered, are destined to play second fiddle during the current coalition government in Sindh province. Last week, I received several emails from a few highly component and men of character, indeed, foreign qualified friends, who are working with various projects funded by international donor bodies such as the Word Bank, related to health, education, environment, etc in Sindh. It appears from their emails that those honest and upright friends are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in Sindh government because corrupt bosses and political bigwigs never allow them to work with honesty and use the finance allocated for various funds fairly and honestly.
It is one of the universal truths that honest and upright, dedicated and devoted officers become an asset to any society and democracy. It is noted that the provincial rulers are indifferent to such precious and rare gems, and some even show utter displeasure for such breed of officers in the dispensation who really want to deliver. They are left at the mercy of corrupt bureaucrat and technocrats who rule the roost in the province today. Indeed, selfless and sensible government officers, both contractual and permanent, along with strong civil society, are the only hope for true democratisation of our society and the prevalence of the rule of law. It is high time that we all rose to rein in our bureaucracy and political elites and ensure that they govern and deliver as per the constitution and law and not rule by their whims. Our hyperactive media, both print and electronic, too must ensure that such issues may not go into oblivion after becoming a day’s headline.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad