Apropos reports about NAB and its history of serving more as laundry for financial criminals than a deterrence by awarding exemplary punishments, confiscating ill-gotten assets and giving long prison terms. White collar crimes involving billions occur with connivance of corrupt regulators and paid public office holders which makes prosecution an uphill task. In developed world where rule of law prevails, state prosecutors after thorough investigations select a fool proof case, which may be a fraction compared to total amount plundered, but where solid evidence is available to indict these criminals.
Plea Bargains is an arrangement where prosecution strikes deal with one of many criminals involved who turn approver, giving solid evidence in return for lighter punishment but never with primary convict. Even if primary criminals agree to return all money in a select case with fool proof evidence, it is never accepted as compensation for misdeeds because this is just a fraction of plundered and robbed money. The unfortunate reality is ever since NAB has been created in its present form corruption in Pakistan has multiplied. If terrorism is an engine then corruption serves as fuel and lubricating oil to drive this demon that threatens national security. Forensic audit of NAB senior executives and prosecutors, if carried out, will reveal that vast majority has gone from rags to riches courtesy their tenures.
It was under Musharraf’s rule that corruption was institutionalised and NAB reduced to whitening agency for benefit of white collar criminals. His choice of a former City Bank executive, whom a Congressional Committee had found involved in money laundering, as FM and later as PM was ultimate mockery of good governance and death of transparency. The much publicised $60 million money laundering case of a controversial politician was destined for dustbin of history because the former banker himself had served almost every corrupt elite in uniform or elected to launder their money. It is not just white collar criminals, but also murderers, kidnappers and rapists who benefitted from Musharraf’s NRO. Today NAB has become a service provider for corrupt elite, criminals and land mafia dons whether they are the in guise of politicians, generals, traders or bureaucrats.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
