The NAB spokesperson has stated that a probe against Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif over money laundering charges has been initiated. He clarified that the reference has been filed by Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
Hardly anyone can disagree that rule of law’s basic requirement is that accountability should be across the board that should set an example in order to deter others from violating it. Our culture is also such that generally leaders tend to regard themselves as untouchables, which must end now. No one is above the law and clearly Mian Nawaz is no exception. Perhaps who else but the PML-N understands better that the judiciary, liberated after a long drawn struggle is now free and is dispensing justice without any fear or favour. If they are clean as they say, they should have no reason to fear the courts or the investigators. One still feels that the move reeks of a personal vendetta. The timing of the case for instance is particularly perturbing. The reference has been filed in the wake of Nawaz’s visit to Sindh, traditionally regarded as a PPP stronghold, where he has been canvassing and forming alliances with local leaders. A good number of people, largely flood victims left in the lurch by the Sindh government naturally rushed in the hope of finding a saviour, something that appears to have hurt the Zardari camp. It goes without saying that our political parties are highly territorial and always retaliate when they think someone is encroaching on their turf. There is also the PML-N’s insistence that Prime Minister Gilani step down. That the zero sum game of political victimisation, a norm in 1990s is still in play indicates politicians have yet to come of age. The move appears politically motivated all the more so given NAB spokesperson’s confession that the department’s request for putting the name of Raja Pervez Ashraf and other ministers on the ECL has been disregarded. Justice requires that other corruption cases pending against the junta’s members should be initiated with the same vigour.
When the PPP is hardly ready to let its members and ministers face the investigations or the cases there is little moral or legal ground it is left with to ask for accountability of its rivals. Indeed examples abound, the recent one being the ephedrine scandal that the federal setup is trying its best to hush up. While the inquiry into the money laundering scandal must be pursued, PPP big fish who are currently absconding from the law must also be brought to the book. Finally one reposes trust in the judiciary that it would view the case on merit. This is also a challenge for NAB to act professionally.