When elected MNAs, MPAs or Senators are given development funds from tax-payers’ money, why shouldn’t they be asked to give an account of expenditure or at least mention the projects undertaken? This country can no longer afford to allow the electoral process to be abused by those who do not pay taxes, have no stakes in this country, have been involved in submitting fake documents such as academic qualifications, possess multiple passports or NICs and are involved in illegal activities, heinous crimes, such as forcible land occupation, smuggling and are either instrumental in murder, kidnapping, running private torture cells or armed militias and even rape.
It is unfortunate that most of our political parties lack moral courage to screen those whom they award tickets for elections. Democracy is considered the most efficient system of governance because of in-built checks and balances, accountability, independent judiciary and strict regulatory controls. Why are we hesitant to follow these ethics adopted all over the world for screening people, who voluntarily offer to hold public offices of repute which will impact the destiny and fate of over 180 million citizens of Pakistan, a country which has been declared as second most corrupt nation in the world and facing an acute energy, financial and internal security crisis?
I am sure it is not in our destiny as a nation to be ruled by despots either in uniform or elected.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
