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.