Whither Quaid’s Pakistan?

As we celebrate Pakistan Day, it would serve us well to assess how far we have deviated from Quaid’s vision of a modern democratic Pakistan to a state where politics is devoid of any ethics or commitment and non-accountability for most heinous of crimes against state become a right by precedent for few who consider this country with all its assets is there to serve them.

There are two kinds of dual nationality holders of Pakistani origin, one who were forced to seek foreign nationalities or work permits because state failed to provide them equal opportunities on merit, and the other who having benefitted most, have conveniently chosen to abandon it and seek foreign passports. The large majority, who are on work-visas, send their savings back home to sustain their families comprising almost 80 % of total foreign exchange remittances.

The other group having made fortunes, enjoyed lucrative posts and having benefitted from institutionalized corruption, availing multiple plot allotments and perks of power, such as tax free businesses, have chosen to move their families and assets through illegal channels and in process have funneled more foreign exchange out of Pakistan than that which is remitted by large majority of loyal hard working expatriates. Numerous children of top bureaucrats, politicians and khakis availed state and foreign scholarships, which should have been awarded on merit to deserving citizens of Pakistan and after getting education from top foreign universities refused to serve their country as per bonds signed by them.

Individuals like Altaf Hussain etc who abandoned Pakistan to avoid prosecution for crimes committed by them, were allowed to manipulate politics, while living in Dubai, UK, Canada etc. There is a method in this madness when key lucrative posts in bureaucracy, State Bank, Office of Auditor General, PIA, CAA, foreign diplomatic assignments are dominated by this powerful nexus of corrupt dual nationals who facilitate transfer of black money through loopholes intentionally built within system. It is shameful that even provincial cabinet meetings are held in Dubai while Karachi for over two decades was allowed to be hostage to an ethnic party, shutting it on one phone call from London. Even after abandoning Pakistan these economic opportunists continue to bleed this country endlessly.

MALIK TARIQ

Lahore