THE establishment of an accountability commission to look into the affairs of last 10 years appears to be the right step in the right direction. But it will remain cosmetic as the root of corruption, mismanagement and intrigues dates back to 1951 and beyond, which derailed democracy and corruption of all types was injected in the Pakistani body politic.

In view of the above, misdeeds of Ghulam Muhammad, a civil servant who was the finance minister and later became governor-general by intrigues, must be accounted for declaring emergency twice, dissolving the assemblies, dismissing the governments of Khawaja Nizamuddin and Muhammad Ali Bogra.

He should also be held accountable for blocking the promulgation of 1954 constitution prepared by the founders of Pakistan, which was not allowed see the light of the day.

Iskandar Mirza, again a civil servant illegally acquired the rank of major-general being the secretary defence, usurped the power by intrigues to become the president of Pakistan, formed the Republican Party, which is also buried with him. He also imposed 1958 martial law by abrogating the 1956 constitution, dismissed the governments and dissolved assemblies as well as imposed governor’s rule under section 92A of 1935 Act repeatedly in East Pakistan. All this also should be looked into.

The assassination of Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan, Gen Ziaul Haq, Benazir Bhutto and the separation of East Pakistan should also be probed. Much evidence available which has been pushed under the carpet will bring facts to light and a lesson for all that the misdeeds of all those responsible and accomplice can never go unnoticed and unpunished.

Islamic and European history is a testimony to the fact that such acts of omission and commission are never time-barred. The culprits should be tried posthumously and exemplary punishment should be awarded and executed on their graves.

Lt Col (retd) Syed Iftikhar Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2019