EVERY Pakistani complains about corruption, but no one tries to address the root cause of this phenomenon. Many campaigns were initiated against corruption but failed to achieve results, because of the failure to realise that it is the human mind and not the system that is responsible for corruption.

To eradicate corruption we need to address the individual mindset. We need to replace a money-oriented outlook with a value-oriented code of life. We need to persuade people that money is just a need, and not the ultimate goal.

The primary concern of every man for himself needs to be replaced with concern for the nation. In other words, we have to replace money with wisdom as the ultimate goal. Although this is a long process, it is the only one that can produce results, and there are no shortcuts.

Anti-corruption movements generally demand the enactment of anti-corruption laws. We already have a plethora of anti-corruption laws in our statute books but these are rarely implemented.

The thoughtless pursuit of wealth at all costs only leads to discontentment, while the pursuit of contentment brings inner peace and a life so wonderful that it cannot be described in words.

It is only the content who live on a high spiritual plane and will not indulge in corrupt practices. And, it is only spiritual revolution that can root out corruption in our country.

Tariq Badar

Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2017