APROPOS Khurran Husain’s column “So much for corruption” ( Feb 23). Corruption, terrorism, tax evasion, collapse of state institutions, booming criminal economy and a shrinking national economy are all interlinked and complement each other.

Malik Qayyum, a brilliant lawyer, who used his skills to serve numerous tainted governments of the PML-N, PPP and the military junta of Musharraf, was the choice of every regime to regularise irregularities and mint billions.

It was Mr Qayyum who interpreted (PERA) 1992 which every corrupt government, thereafter, and terrorists, robbers, drug and land mafia barons have used to deprive this country of billions through money laundering. Just look at his portfolio, son of a judge who sat on the bench involved in the judicial murder of

ZAB and a brilliant lawyer-turned-evil genius who became a favourite choice of every individual involved in abusing power and acquiring black money, tax evasion and making a mockery of accountability. Khanani and Kalia were allowed to flee this country, with one of them to be caught in the US.

Can anybody deny that tons of ephedrine went missing and all those allegedly involved managed to evade punishment?

Thousands of Haj and Umrah pilgrims were fleeced by the ministry created to facilitate them and PIA executives and others had no qualms about forming cartels with select travel agents and add to their agony.

Ali Malik

Lahore

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017