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Corrupt Acts
Published on August 22nd, 2009

The prime minister is to be congratulated for having taken a bold and public decision to sack the chairman of the Steel Mill, on charges of corruption that were being highlighted in the press recently. The chairman is allegedly the recommendee of a crony. This has made the action of the prime minister all the more significant. The investigative reports of the media are being read in the higher offices, and more importantly being acted upon. This action by the prime minister has bolstered the morale of the PPP members, and Jehangir Badr was heard on a talk show bragging that it was a PPP prime minister that had sacked the chairman for corruption, and the PPP deserved the credit. The media has increased its focus on corruption, or maybe the scams have become larger and more brazen. Nevertheless, the exposure may lead to the Godfathers of the NRO to consider the monsters they have spawned, but the judges are already on high alert, and it is doubtful that these items would have escaped their notice. It is shocking that the opposition in the National Assembly has not highlighted these issues, but left it to the media.

We can safely assume that the members of that August body are not really concerned for they are busy making hay, certainly not legislating. Their record on this score in the last year has been abysmal, The prime minister it seems has started to take a strong position and may just be setting the guidelines for future action. It is this kind of initiative that will embolden the watchdogs in the government to more exposures of corruption. The sacking of the chairman was followed by a statement of an investigative follow up. This could entail criminal charges. For these actions the public will be extremely grateful, and the prime minister will be lauded well after he leaves office. This is all the more important, for this was not a politically targeted member of the opposition, but a chairman appointed by the ruling party itself. In the past corruption has been the object of a cover up and loud denials. Using the bluster of loyalists to ensure that no further action needs to be sought or taken. The media is already hinting at more juicy scandals in the offing.

The prime minister has already set an example before the nation by refusing to take cover under the NRO, but chose the harder path by fighting his battle through the courts, and being cleared by them. It is this behaviour that is lauded and beloved by the pubic at large. This should also be the only accepted direction to be taken by all accused. To take cover under the NRO should be taken as an assumption of guilt.

The prime minister is beginning to realise that as the chief executive of the country, his every action that begets corrupt acts by an appointee would render the prime minister also culpable, especially when warned by the many watchdogs of the government including the media. The prime minister must now be even more careful in allowing nominees of the president especially those 'cleared' by the NRO. This was a black law when it was spawned, and we have suffered in the international world, for the NRO was signed into law by Musharraf, and none dared complain, for at that time the Musharraf was all powerful, and his word was law, The present assemblies are packed with beneficiaries of this law, so it is not reasonable for them to repeal a law that protects their colleagues. They are also prone to selling their sympathies for a benefit or two. They are not overly concerned by the impression thus created in the minds of the foreigners. Or that this black law by its very blackness has given the US and the UK, a very powerful tool to use on the PPP. Which it appears they use frequently to make sure their bidding is done. It is indeed a pity that our hard won independence and sovereignty has been compromised over corrupt acts, by a few black sheep, with the promise of governance 'guaranteed' by the Godfathers. It also enabled our leadership at that time to 'handover' Pakistani nationals for transport to Guantanamo at a price.

For these reasons the prime minister's action is to be praised, as he has shown his courage in taking this stand. He could carry this further, and dare the invoking of 58-2(B). In fact he should now assert his real powers as the defacto and real prime minister, instead of taking instructions that could lead to the fall of his government, or worse.