Corruption and accountability have become buzzwords in the political discourse of Pakistan since the advent of the Panama Leaks. If statements from all public figures – politicians, journalists, prominent lawyers, the Army Chief and even run-of-the-mill political commentators – are to be believed, the public stands united against the first and will do anything to achieve the second. However, are these statements being made for the greater good of the country, or merely for political mileage?

Asma Jahangir made a similar point while talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court on Monday, and stated that accountability should never be used as an excuse to derail the democratic process. Questions were also raised against the Army’s version of accountability, in which the officers charged with corruption were merely removed from service, instead of facing any criminal proceedings, or explaining how the money stolen would be recovered.

Ignoring this selective cleansing, some have beseeched the same institution to swoop in and clean up corruption in the country, ignoring the fact that reportedly, NAB is currently negotiating a plea bargain deal worth Rs 4 billion with previous COAS’ brother Kamran Kayani over the DHA scam. Even after this recent purge, there are suspicions of corruption in the ranks; aiders and abettors of those caught, and others involved in massive scams including the Rs16 billion one in DHA City Lahore. There are institutions such as NAB the people are not ready to trust, even though others touted by many as sacrosanct are anything but.

Asma Jahangir’s words should remind us all that no institution of the country is above blame, be it the executive, the legislative, judiciary or even the armed forces. There are prominent judges that stand named in the Panama Leaks, with LHC’s Justice Farrukh among them, and maybe the judicial commission, if formed, should put its own members second in the priority list after the Prime Minister and other prominent leaders. All institutions have been corrupt in the past, and there are still existing signs of corrupt practices among many. But after recognising this problem, let’s also be practical; it is virtually impossible to wipe out all traces of corruption under the existing market model. This in no way implies that it cannot be managed, however. Coming down hard on massive scandals such as the DHA scam is a good step to ensure that a deterrence is established now, so that future criminals think twice before robbing the country of millions. This however needs to be done transparently, and in full view of the public, not behind closed doors as was done in Rawalpindi.