It’s a whole new world
The action taken by COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif has purged his ranks of corruption charges. His action has created a stir in the politics of South-Asia and particularly jolted the political world in Pakistan. This can change the course of history in either way, as till recently this important pillar of the State was enjoying the status of ‘pious cow’ with certain exemptions. The message of ending this kind of facility is unique in nature and exclusive because its follow up in dismissal of high army officials amazed the whole world.
Earlier, COAS declared ‘War against economic terrorism’ as part 2 of Zarb e Azb an important component to win war on terrorism in totality. His geared up movement against corruption in Pakistan ended the exemption and vindicated his stand against corruption.
“The message to political leadership is clear. They are required to follow the suit, prepare themselves for eventuality.”
The firm actions by army Chief have thrown the ball in the court of political administration. The global observers are expecting that democratic government would respond for a follow up. The army way of doing the things is not restricted to only Panama leaks but it is broader in sense and wider in scope as far corruption and action is concerned. There is a series of scandals and acts of corruption in the political administration in Pakistan and are accumulated over years but unfortunately un-accounted for. Now, there is no exemption from accountability. Therefore the message has upset the ruling classes in all the political parties, bureaucracy etc with increased demand to account for.
The message to political leadership is clear. They are required to follow the suit, prepare themselves for eventuality. They have to weed out evil doers in either way to save their entities. Those leaders whose creditability is at stake or challenged should come forward to explain. The political leadership needs to rise above and offer itself to face the music. This would save the democracy, political parties and make them glorified if they are not corrupt.
The political leadership should provide opportunity to new cadre if they are serious to carry democracy.The political parties need to jettison those are corrupt and historic shabbiest; to safe their vessel. There is a saying in old Sanskrit book “For the family, Sacrifice the individual, for the community the family, for the country the community, and for the soul the whole world”. The word soul, was interpreted by political scholars means ‘a sacrifice for the cause of common good’.
“There is a saying in old Sanskrit book “For the family, Sacrifice the individual, for the community the family, for the country the community, and for the soul the whole world”. The word soul, was interpreted by political scholars means ‘a sacrifice for the cause of common good’.”
The anti-corruption campaign is for the cause of “common good” first step taken by the army chief. His, is a strong message to get the house in order in the political administration of the country. The political leadership should prepare itself to follow the suit before it is too late. The vision of the army Chief and action taken is comprehendible; it seems to be result of his gathered wisdom out of his series of meetings with global leaders. I am strange the political leadership failed to gauge the campaign against unaffordable disorders, of course, ‘corruption’ as leading factor. The increasing population is deleting available resources the world is facing food shortage and water scarcity. Pakistan is no exception. How Pakistan can afford a luxury like corruption for the few at the cost of the whole nation. The future management of Pakistan is the basic question. The term of office of COAS has nothing to do with the continuity of the agenda. The initiative taken by him possibly cannot be reversed.
Now the ball is in the court of political administration and political parties to keep their house in order. Any legislation in this regard cannot provide escape for the wrong doers. If army exemption is ended the civilian exemption for anybody cannot be created. Any type of escape cannot be the remedy. One should be ready to face the music, in case he is required to do so. The democratic set up must present itself to account for and would be in the interest of democracy itself before honourable opportunity is ended. Who can more understand than me, that in Mushraff regime without any evidence, till my acquittal by the NAB court I suffered two years in the jails plus 8 years in the trial with twice a weak hearing with my wife and children despite there was no case. But now in a democratic set up things still are honorably accountable as political victimization is difficult in the presence of vast media. The political leadership can legislate to save them from victimization but no escape from accountability is possible. Transformation is knocking at the doors in Pakistan; the political leadership shuns to protect the power brokers who have accumulated money over years sharing power with every government. Those brokers of power politics change their political beliefs every time in the middle of every victory and now must be accountable to stop replay of corruption.
This is high time for political parties to jettison bad elements from its rank and file in order to survive. The political leadership need to re-visit their respective parties especially organizational structure and make their parties a real political institution. They must provide opportunities to new middle class youth rather to opt for old corrupt element already used by all previous governments. The computerized youth be provided training by respective political party in the making. Only middle class youth and working classes can built Pakistan.
It is imperative to save democracy, the political leadership must comprehend, discuss and make methodology for future smooth running of democracy in Pakistan. The leadership and parties have to deliver and there is no way out. People then would repose their confidence voluntarily on one or the other. The ball thrown by army on corruption to civilian can bring about strong civil-military relations if the efforts are made for a follow up steering in right directions to save democracy. The changing world would transform the society in Pakistan and that political leadersh
Bader Sahib, a very well written article; but just to draw your attention, no matter what the army does, incorrigibly shameless and morally stunted can never be shamed. If you observe the nature and degree of sleaze to which the Prime minister and his servile courtiers are resorting, the sheer lack of shame and odiousness of character becomes pretty obvious.
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