Pakistan’s survival as a sovereign economically stable nation can only be guaranteed if we adopt legacy of Quaid-e-Azam that it be a modern democratic welfare state and not legacies of men like Ayub Khan, Zia or Musharraf. I am sure that Gen Raheel Sharif, coming from a family of men who offered sacrifices to defend Pakistan, would not be tempted by calls for intervention and will hopefully help restore Pakistan to conform to Quaid’s vision.
We must accept failures of successive civil government to strengthen state regulatory institutions so vital for keeping a system of checks and balances on abuse of power. If only elected civil governments had ensured that FIA, Police and all state institutions were seen to be curbing visible irregularities, moves by Khaki Establishment to tackle massive institutionalised corruption and pilferage would not have been welcomed by masses or required. No system in the world can deliver in absence of exemplary punishments for those who violate laws, abuse powers and indulge in corrupt practices. Tax evasion is so enormous that state sovereignty and national interest are being compromised by submitting to dictates of donor agencies and countries.
The curse of greed based corruption has engulfed every institution, blinding them to their responsibilities and it is this nexus between criminal economy and ruling elite that our environment is conducive for terrorism to breed. The 1973 constitution obligates elected government to provide good governance, collect taxes, punish law breakers, make appointments on merit, invest in education, health and build basic infrastructure with emphasis on technology transfer, as much as it confines our armed forces to their specific defined constitutional role.
All institutions of state must serve people and provide security of life and property. No institution, including army, is above constitution. This greed based culture of allotment of state lands to paid servants of state or elected office holders must cease and state assets be confined exclusively for those who die in service of nation or are permanently handicapped and to most deprived sections of our society. Regulatory institutions must be seen to be independent from political or establishment influence and become proactive in prosecuting those who violate laws.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
Thank U 🙂
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