A SWISS bank director says Pakistanis have more than $97 billion in their banks. Whose money is this? It can’t be the government money or legal transactions. Of course, it must be the looted, black money, kickbacks and commissions. It’s amazing the nation is dying due to poverty, hunger and diseases and is begging the world but is not trying to get this money from Swiss banks.

The stories of corruption and plundering of this country are very old and this hefty amount seems to be the work of the same old players. I am surprised that this important news didn’t get the attention of media, civil society and above all the parliamentarians. The US forced the Swiss government to provide the details of money deposited by their citizens, so why can’t we?

If we do not protect our rights, and do not stop plunder which is going on unabated then we are certainly heading for a disaster.

If the media’s focus and pressure could bring the Sialkot incident killers to gallows then there is no reason we can’t get this money back to government coffers. If the youth of this country get united then no one can stand in our way. It’s time to rise against corruption and corrupt elements who are looting Pakistan with both hands. The media must unearth this mega scam, the writers must pick up their pens, the anchors should highlight this issue and the political parties, who feel they have clean hands, must prove it now. I think it’s a time to change the destiny of Pakistan. We are being threatened not from eastern but also from western borders, only for a few billion dollars, whereas we have much more money in Swiss banks.

The corrupt billionaires must be punished and recovery be made. There are very weak voices but I am sure they will increase.

History tells us that in front of power of the people no one can stand. If the people of Pakistan can evict terrorists from Swat and become a nuclear power in spite of all odds then they will not succeed in getting their money back. It is not the time to think but it is time to act.

BILAL SHAHID Karachi