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Corruption Caused Augmentation
Third, corruption has caused the augmentation of under-development and social backwardness. From any standpoint, a corrupt society cannot be healthy and developed. The problem with Pakistan is corruption is not only tolerated but also encouraged.
A policy on the part of the state to tolerate and cover up corrupt practices is the root cause of societal stagnation, frustration resulting into its chaos arid disorder. When a state is unable to prevent, if not totally eliminate corruption, it is falling into the category of fragile, failing and failed state. Corruption in bureaucracy, government or semi-government institutions , judiciary military and most important education can only weaken the foundations of the state. When the government exchequer faces a loss of around 1 trillion of rupees a year only because of corruption at different levels, the burden of that loss will definitely be passed on to people which will augment frustration, anger and destabilize the society.
This is exactly what is the ground reality in Pakistan. No government body is safe from corruption.
In order to effectively deal with the menace of corruption, the federal government established National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Established by the regime of General Pervez Musharraf on November 16, 1999, NAB was given the responsibility to cleanse Pakistan from corruption and carrying out across the board accountability.
NAB Role in Corruption
NAB was able to recover hundreds of billions of rupees from politicians and former officials responsible for causing enormous financial loss to the country but failed to eradicate corruption. It has been more than eleven years since NAB was established, yet in view of political pressures it has not been able to perform independently and effectively.
In fact, corruption cannot be eradicated only by NAB as it must get the required support from state and societal institutions. When the menace of corruption has deepened and has acquired patronage at the highest level, NAB is simply power-less in fulfilling its mandate.
Corruption has put a question mark as far as the future of Pakistan is concerned. As said earlier, Pakistan has reached the stage of a fragile state because of mis-governance, breakdown of rule of law, extremism, militancy, nepotism, poor work ethics and rampant corruption. If such negative trends are not curbed, Pakistan will cross the line which has been drawn between a fragile and failing state.
There are so many examples of failing states, particularly in the third world where the writ of the state is fast disappearing and there is widespread lawlessness. It seems, Pakistan is fast approaching the stage from a fragile to a failing state because no state institution is functioning properly: there is total indifference and apathy to the absence of rule of law and the society is fragmented on ethnic and sectarian grounds.
Growth Crimes, Social Disorder
The growth in crimes, social disorder, enormous price hike of essential commodities and public utilities can only accelerate the process of transforming Pakistan as a failing state. Moreso, instead of taking strong, notice of corruption in state-owned institutions; the deliberations of national assembly’s public accounts committee, the efforts of NAB to track down corrupt officials and supreme court’s clear verdicts in the last one year on bank loan defaulters and money laundering, the government is totally oblivious to the grave threat which Pakistan is facing because of deep rooted corruption.
Corruption is not only tolerated but is also encouraged by those who are supposed to be ‘role models’ and ensure accountability. Lust, greed and drive for seeking more and more wealth through Regal means seem to have become an acceptable norm to Pakistani society.
Where is the way out and how Pakistan can be saved from crossing the threshold of fragile state and becoming a failing state? Is there any hope which can at least cause some optimism among 180 million people of Pakistan that they can have a secure and better future and the world will not look them down as the bastion of corruption and nepotism?
History teaches a lesson that when a country loses its self-esteem, respect, integrity and sincerity of purpose, it is doomed. Such a country may remain on the map of the world, but in a poor shape where any legitimate work can be done by giving bribe or using influence and where key organs of the state like bureaucracy, military, judiciary and parliament are only a part of the problem and they cover up corruption and corrupt practices of high officials belonging to different organs of the state.
If the higher segment of judiciary claims that it is now not corrupt, the reports in the media and various organizations provide ample evidence that gross corruption exists in the middle and lower level judiciary. When stagnation, apathy and indifference become a part of culture one cannot be optimistic about reducing the level of corruption in Pakistan.
Suggestions to remove corruption from Pakistan
One can suggest three measures, which if taken and pursued seriously by those who matter, can help reduce, if not eradicate corruption in Pakistan.
First, the justice system must be powerful enough to not only award rigorous punishment to those who are involved in different types of corruption, but should also make sure that its judgments are implemented. Countries where corruption is either at a very low level or is almost non-existent, justice system plays a vital role in providing justice to people without any bribe or nepotism.
Second, along with the justice system, government and its organs must be above corruption or corrupt practices. That can only happen when those who are part of the government, whether at the lower, middle or higher level must be paid well and rewarded of their efficient and honest work. Corruption has permeated in Pakistani society because of bad governance and lack of accountability; When the rule of law is not compromised and the economic conditions of people, particularly those in police, taxation department and revenue are better, corruption can certainly be con-trolled.
Third, eradication of the causes which promote and deepen corruption. Poverty, lack of better education, acceptance of corruption in society and the role of mafias who have not only official patronage but also get a free hand to loot and plunder national wealth.
In order to take effective measures at the state and societal level against corruption, it is imperative that younger generation should be properly educated and mobilized to reduce corruption.
Particularly, at the school level there is a need to introduce topics in syllabi which can “induct proper awareness on the menace of corruption. Institutional measures must be taken in various educational institutions of Pakistan by creating small anti-corruption study groups in order to provide training and expertise to eradicate corruption.
Yet, the question is when corruption is so deep rooted in Pakistan and’ all state institutions are one way or the other involved in corruption, how can one expect any change as far a reducing the level of corruption is concerned?
Whatever may be the reasons for the deepening of corruption in Pakistan it is rightly believed that corruption has become a way of life and this disease cannot be cured with a simple operation. Without a firm policy, which is above contradictions and followed across the board, there is no way one can seek any breakthrough in saving Pakistan from the lethal implications of corruption.
Unless those people who are an integral part of corrupt practices are removed from positions of power and punished, there is no way corruption can be controlled. By taking cosmetic measures corruption will increase and not go down.
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