Pakistan’s political problems, curse of corruption and flight of capital is linked with its affluent ruling elite who live with their families and assets located abroad, indulge in massive tax evasion and who consider this country an ideal place to govern or do business without any fear of accountability. This is a country where religion has been used to exploit its citizens by rulers who do not obey laws of Pakistan. In August 1947, the Father of Nation refused to accept a British citizen Lord Mountbatten, as Governor General, because in his opinion this could have compromised our sovereignty. He wanted policies and decisions which decide fate of citizens of Pakistan to be made in this country, by those who were elected and whose own destiny is linked with fate of this country.
The Canadian Cleric, who has pledged an oath of loyalty to serve Queen and obey laws and constitution of Canada, cannot offer any solution to multitude of problems which we face. He lives abroad and visits this country seasonally, where he has a blind following of thousands, who make generous donations to his organisation. It is only when he is in Pakistan does he talk about Kashmir, but has unfortunately done nothing to project this cause abroad. Whether it be Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf or members of Pakistan’s corrupt, paid bureaucracy, both civil and uniformed, they all share common belief that this country is neither safe for them or their children to live, nor is it secure to invest their legal and illegal billions here.
We need to revert to vision of Quaid e Azam’s modern, democratic welfare state, ruled by men with undivided loyalty to its soil, for whom this is motherland, where they will live and die, whose sovereignty is considered sacrosanct, and its policies and decisions are made solely in Pakistan in accordance with wishes and aspirations of millions who live here.
Ali Malik Tariq
Lahore