All over world big business influences politics indirectly through contributions, but when big business gets directly involved in politics than common man suffers and national exchequer is likely to be pilfered. National interests are prone to be compromised at altar of greed and profiteering. Universally accepted code of ethics and Islamic governance practices during Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar or Hazrat Ali etc emphasized that rulers should not have “Conflicts of Interest” and neither they nor their children should be involved in business. What can be bigger verdict on their poor governance and lopsided priorities than the fact that there is not a single hospital in Pakistan, on which they have confidence to be treated.
It is in the nature of traders not to resist temptation and profiteering. Mega projects which should have been earning accolades from public are becoming controversial because contracts are given to firms owned by politicians or their cronies, who compromise on quality with state regulatory authorities under pressure to overlook. In a country where millions suffer from malnutrition, sickness and injustices, because of paucity of funds for welfare, it is criminal to give subsidy to sugar barons and numerous tax amnesty schemes for traders earning crores. Can anybody in power justify levying 15% WT on earning of pensioners, senior citizens and widows who invest their meager lifelong savings in National Saving Centre schemes?
It is ironic that before 1947 all major political policy decisions were taken by white man in London while in 2016 they are taken by brown natives heading major political parties, whose families and assets are also located there, making them susceptible to foreign pressures. Pakistan’s sovereignty is at stake because of greed and vested interest of few, who consider Pakistan worthy only to rule or do business, but not for their families to live here. We are being ruled by individuals who diligently pay all taxes in foreign countries, but consider it either a sin or insult to pay taxes in Pakistan.
Malik Tariq
Lahore
