THIS is apropos of your editorial ‘PM’s observations on corruption’ (May 8). The prime minister’s remarks on corruption were shocking for the entire nation. On the one hand, he is accepting the fact that “there is much corruption in the country”; on the other hand, he believes “if we get involved in probing them all our time will be consumed in the investigations and we will not be able to deliver.”

Corruption was defined by the Quaid-i-Azam as a curse and poison. It is in the blood of the nation and owing to this corruption Pakistan is lacking in development, but our prime minister believes that probing the corruption will consume the time which can otherwise be utilised in development projects.

Developed countries are those where corruption is almost negligible. Malaysia and Singapore got independence after Pakistan. Till the 1960s these countries were far behind Pakistan in terms of GDP and development, but today they are far ahead only because they vigorously fought against corruption while carrying out development projects.

We also have the example of the Gulf States where there was sand and people would live in tents. Without getting involved in corruption, these countries utilised their natural resources and left Pakistan far behind. Nature has gifted our country with resources with hard-working citizens. But corruption is the only hindrance in the development of the country.

Without eliminating corruption no development is possible. Any mega project started in the present corrupt atmosphere will be like a castle of cards.

Aamir Aqil

Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2017