Parties’ stance on corruption

Editorial Published September 16, 2015

IMRAN Khan’s call for a military-led anti-corruption drive in Punjab and PPP senators lashing out against what they termed the selective focus on corruption in Sindh are likely to build political pressure on the PML-N government to take accountability more seriously.

To begin with, the PPP senators appeared to speak more sensibly than the PTI chief.

Take a look: PPP senators protest against ‘selective accountability’

While acknowledging the need for accountability in Sindh, the PPP senators took issue mostly with the use of anti-terrorism laws and the federal government bypassing the Sindh government in corruption investigations.

Yet, theirs was a clearly partisan stance: at no point did any of the senators see fit to call up the Sindh government to take governance and accountability issues more seriously and to demonstrate an immediate and clear public stance against corruption.

So commonplace have allegations of corruption against the PPP government in Sindh become that it is remarkable no one within the party has yet spoken out against it. That silence only underlines the deep and continuing problems within the PPP.

Mr Khan’s demand, however, is beyond the pale. Punjab needs accountability as much as Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do.

Know more: Imran demands anti-corruption crackdown in Punjab

There are ways and means to build public and parliamentary pressure on the PML-N governments at the centre and in Punjab to take accountability more seriously.

Why then does a national politician leading what is effectively the second-largest political party in the country need to call upon the military to take up what is a politician’s job?

Is Mr Khan admitting that his party is incapable of using the instruments available to it in the Punjab Assembly and parliament to try and unearth the truth about the so-called mega-corruption campaigns that the PTI frequently alleges are taking place?

While the PTI cannot by itself ensure that the relevant provincial and parliamentary committees probe corruption allegations, any attempt by the PML-N government to block such moves would be a public-relations setback.

Unhappily, it still appears that Mr Khan regards democracy more as an electoral process than a progressively stronger set of civilian institutions.

To be sure, when it comes to accountability and corruption, the PML-N has remained largely disinterested. Whatever the senior party leadership may claim, the operation in Karachi now appears to be fully military-run with minimal civilian input. As for the power sector, signs of incompetence and possibly corruption are growing. The fiasco over the Nandipur power plant; the inability to ensure new and adequate gas flows for the upcoming winter; stalled reforms; opaque pricing mechanisms — the power sector that was the sole focus of the prime minister himself in his first months in office has not shown the fruits of competent, professional management. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif frequently talks of transparency and accountability — but has he really done much on either of those fronts?

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2015

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Gramscian

Sep 16, 2015 03:30am

In Pakistani democracy there is no accountability for the ruling elite. What institution would hold our ruling elite (politicians, generals, media, bureaucrats, religious leaders of various varieties etc.) accountable? Which civilian state institution is free of political interference and influence? NAB, FIA? So who would hold the corrupt accountable?

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Mohammed

Sep 16, 2015 03:32am

Both NAB and FIA are there to protect the PML-so who besides the military has the power and authority to challenge the crooked Sharifs. Its high time General Sharif took on his namesakes.

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Akil Akhtar

Sep 16, 2015 04:51am

They are all in politics for power and money, in fact we can expect them to oppose any accountability

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ahk

Sep 16, 2015 09:42am

The answer lies in the last sentence of your piece. In any normal country, the affairs of the state are divided, priority-wise, between the Judiciary, Executive and Legislature. When these are dysfunctional then another entity will attempt to come in--if it has the power. In a so-called developing country like Pakistan where the Army has by invitation/per force stepped in to stabilize the situation (whatever it is)......!

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Khalil Anwer Hassan

Sep 16, 2015 10:03am

If ill gotten money is found being used for terror financing, Rangers would and should come into action, under the unanimously agreed Terms of Reference by all political parties of Pakistan.

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responsible

Sep 16, 2015 10:29am

The serious accountability also launched in Punjab with the help of Rangers and federal agencies as done in Sindh and Balouchistan

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Aafaaq

Sep 16, 2015 10:49am

IK is the only neat and clean politician and a real hope for Pakistan.

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Opinionated

Sep 16, 2015 11:10am

"Unhappily, it still appears that Mr Khan regards democracy more as an electoral process than a progressively stronger set of civilian institutions." You fail to see that their is a potent correlation between transparent and clean electoral process and the eventual functional institutions. It would be in vain to expect people working under false/stolen mandate to carry out their respective duities earnestly.

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pervaiz uk

Sep 16, 2015 11:32am

Mr Imran Khan, Please refrain from negative politics , nobody likes this. Highlight some of the Sharif's achievements and this will make you a good politician. As there will be no mid term election,so please let the current government be given a chance of fixing Pakistan. Remember that You will also be judged for your achievements i KPK in the elections. You will definitely be given a chance to govern if PMLN fails to deliver,wait for your turn!

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Dilectus

Sep 16, 2015 12:06pm

PPP and PML-N don't want accountability. They want to keep plundering in the name of democracy.

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Nessar

Sep 16, 2015 12:06pm

@pervaiz uk .....we have been waiting for years with Sharif and Zardari governments and nothing has really improved. How long do you want this to go on?

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pervaiz uk

Sep 16, 2015 12:22pm

@Nessar We have never given democracy a chance, being a PTI well wisher,I think IK should refrain from negative politics as its only going to alienate the public . For the first time in Pakistan's history both Army and civilian governments are singing from the same hymn sheet and this should be acknowledged and taken forward for the sake of our country. Next election are going to fairer, thanks to IK and hopefully people will be judging our politicians on their achievements and nobody knows if IK may have a chance.

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max

Sep 16, 2015 12:25pm

@pervaiz uk Bhahi yehi to rona hey! it is not a turn game if anybody is corrupt he should go then and there

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Rehan

Sep 16, 2015 01:08pm

@Akil Akhtar why do you think Imran Khan is there. He too enjoys the power and the money form other's, flies around in private jets lives a hell of a live style and pays less tax than me a professional on a monthly salary .

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Aaqil

Sep 16, 2015 01:10pm

Surely a politicians' job. But what to do when / where most of the politicians themselves are corrupt to the core ? Moreover, the policy of co-existence as being claimed by politicians has left this country no where in any field. According to this policy all major parties are under some sort of unwritten pledge not to expose the wrong doings of other parties. Geo aur gene do..as they say.....loot and let others loot too.

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Saagar

Sep 16, 2015 01:10pm

Chanters of change have changed themselves.

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syed

Sep 16, 2015 01:11pm

@pervaiz uk Please name one good achievement of the PMLN Goverment either at the Center or at the Punjab provincial level. If you can point out the appointment of even competent person in any Government Dept at a senior level I will even accept that as an achievement.

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syed

Sep 16, 2015 01:14pm

@Khalil Anwer Hassan What "If ill gotten money is found" shouldn't the person from whose person, premises or businesses it is found be tried under ATC and punished. Looting the State Treasury is Terrorism.

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M.Malik

Sep 16, 2015 01:30pm

All politicians are inherently corrupt. No matter how perfect a democracy. No honest person wants to be a politician. There are million other professions, where one can make an honest living -- without the guilt or incurring wrath of people one cheated!

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MAlvi

Sep 16, 2015 01:40pm

@pervaiz uk --- Nonsense. Is PMLn government fixing the problems?

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Pakistani

Sep 16, 2015 02:05pm

@pervaiz uk There is no turn coming. It is Nawaz - Zardari - Nawaz - Zardari -.......until so one like IK comes and breaks this deal.

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SHABBIR BHEDA

Sep 16, 2015 02:06pm

if there really was a forum such as the Parliament, why didnt the PPP and PMLN not sort out this issue in their cumulative 7 years in power. IK knows it is futile to even discuss this in such forums. Hence, his direct appeal to Rangers. He has tried all the Institutions, alas, there is none.

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LAZY

Sep 16, 2015 02:36pm

Its civil institutions to look into civilian matters. But Dear editor do you think that the non autonomous politicized federal institutions will ever probe investigation against the party rulling in centre and Punjab. Its Army that has made possible to invade in control building of karachi and exposed mega corruption and land mafia's. And when rangers saw political hurdles they pushed the heads of federal organizations into the matters. Meanwhile PM Nawaz backdoor diplomacy for not arresting x-pm Gillan are on the scene. In this kind of environment how can you trust on the federal institutions run by federal government.

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haris

Sep 16, 2015 02:42pm

@Ungli But corruption in KPK is record time low for past 15 years. how about that?

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دل آرا

Sep 16, 2015 03:01pm

"Why then does a national politician leading what is effectively the second-largest political party in the country need to call upon the military to take up what is a politician’s job?" ... Because one thief can not speak or take action against another thief.

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azmat

Sep 16, 2015 03:19pm

You are getting the wrong end of the stick Mr writer. IK did not mean to ask rangers to conduct anti-graft operation in KP. He meant that if someone thinks that PTI KP govt is creating hurdles in way of accountability (Which is clearly not the case as Ehtisab Commission has even nabbed sitting ministers and their family members) then rangers or federal institutions can intervene. In case of Sindh govt, not only are they disinterested in conducting accountability themselves, they are creating hurdles for FIA and NAB as well. Similarly, Panjab and Islamabad has not taken any anti-graft initiative involving any of the ruling party members. Nandipur, Model town, $500 b payment to IPPs without an audit, QA solar park, metros etc etc and no investigation or audit. If KP Ehtisab Commission is biased in favour of PTI, who has stopped NAB or FIA which is under Federal Govt from taking action. But no such cushion in case of PML(N)

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Akib

Sep 16, 2015 06:17pm

"Mr Khan admitting that his party is incapable"...and don't forget incompetent

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IMRAN ALI

Sep 16, 2015 09:29pm

Illegally constructed mosque and seminaries established on Govt. and private land continue to operate undeterred ...with imams saying what they want and more than 90% student coming from outside Karachi,like middle east only day scholars should be allowed in these seminaries..

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Sep 17, 2015 06:26am

good call keep up Ik or they will do a mess up

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rehan

Sep 17, 2015 10:34am

It's pretty interesting to witness the panic that has spread like wildfire among our corrupt politicians

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Pervin Nasir

Sep 17, 2015 04:40pm

Corrption is in each and every department of the Government. People take bribes as their right. they donot hesitate to ask for it. I have personal experiece that i want my building to sell , but you have to ask land and building department of KDA for lease which i need it. i am seventy years old and cannot go to every department for the need for papers which are required. Is there any remedy to solve my problem ?

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Muslim

Sep 17, 2015 09:50pm

Agreed Mr Khan, corruption is politicians job. Army is trying to stop them from doing it. That's all.

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