When they looted funds which were meant for investment they caused retardation in the economy. For a layman this means that unemployment increased

To my utter dismay the other day I read that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is planning to withdraw almost 507 cases that were supposed to be investigated against some politicians, government servants, businessmen, and ex-officers of the armed forces. Accusations include various forms of corruption which has caused the country losses worth millions of dollars.

While the thought makes me sick to the stomach, I cannot help but waken myself once again to the reality that this is so typical of our society. We have this special level of tolerance for the rich and influential. For years we have shown our tendency to forgive the upper social and financial classes of society, if not immediately then with passage of time.

A servant who breaks fine china is instantly sacked but we go out of our way to be invited to a party where the big-wigs of society, defending themselves against various charges in the court of law will also be in attendance. Think about it, the average Pakistani complaints of corruption at almost the same rate as he breathes and yet as a nation we vote those people in the legislature who are known to be dishonest in more ways than one.

One of my friends insists it’s because of the limited choices we are presented with. She reasons that between the two bigger wrongs we choose the lesser one. So instead of someone who stole a million dollars we choose someone who stole a dollar less. Now isn’t that ironic, especially given the mullahs’ constant effort to Islamise Pakistan. A country which was made for Muslims lacks enough honest people to fill the public sector.

Each named beneficiary of this announced amnesty as per my standard is someone who has long had the opportunity to correct their mistakes. However, they have continued to plunder, and rather than bringing them to justice, NAB has decided to pardon them. The more I think about it, the more I feel they are not just responsible for what they have robbed. In all their years of public service by looting the government of Pakistan they were involved in what is obviously theft and corruption, but this is not all. My analysis says there is more to it.

When they looted funds which were meant for investment they caused retardation in the economy. For a layman this means that unemployment increased. I don’t think I would be out of my mind to say that they should be co-defendants in half of the cases against petty criminals. Had there been investment of the same funds that were embezzled, the jobs resultantly created would have kept these petty thieves busy and out of trouble.

Of course, this is not going to happen. Remember why I am writing this? NAB is granting amnesty to pardon corruption taken place between 1986 and 1999. Suddenly I am appalled all over again. Hence another suggestion: every petty criminal convicted or accused of the offence of theft during the years between 1986 and 1999 should also be pardoned. It is public knowledge that jails in Pakistan are over populated and I am certain that the families of these members of our society can significantly benefit from their return, emotionally and financially.

Does this mean I am suggesting that felons roam our streets? Of course, I am. But think about it, my suggestion is not very different from what is actually happening in Pakistan. When we feel safe around individuals who have looted millions why should we feel differently towards those who have stolen a few thousand? The only reason that I can think of is that those who have stolen millions live in palaces and drive fancy cars.

Is this the morality we want to pass to our next generation?