Constitutional power can only be exercised with responsibility and accountability and taxation is justified if disbursement is strictly audited and subject to public scrutiny. It is unfortunate for people of Pakistan that creation of a democratic welfare state, envisioned by our founding fathers Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal has been denied to them by the political opportunists and paid establishment, each trying to exploit state resources for their individual or community benefits, while the people, who were the real reason for creation of a separate homeland have been left high and dry. Neither Musharraf, or Zia-ul-Haq, nor Ayub and Yahya had any right to take over this country and defy will of the people of Pakistan. The political opportunists who having promised to serve the people and act as custodians of the state exchequer have only indulged in either outright abuse of power or corruption. Being elected to serve for a five year term does not give a carte-blanch to an elected government to appoint uneducated controversial men, who would not qualify for regular recruitment to lowest cadre of administrative jobs, as Chief Executives in violation of merit as has been done by this government in NICL, OGDC, Railways, PIA etc. Nor does it give them a right to indulge in plunder by violation of PPRA rules for procurement contracts worth millions of dollars. White collar criminals have been patronised by both civil or military regimes. Laws are being selectively applied and justice denied. After a long time people have faith in the Supreme Court only, whilst justice is even today denied or delayed by lower judiciary and even high court.
After Quaid's untimely death the process of giving a constitution, on which foundation of a democratic welfare state was to be built was delayed by vested interests. We lost half the country in 1971 because of follies of those who have ruled us by default since 1956. The state of Pakistan today has been driven to technical bankruptcy because of poor governance and lack of transparency, while it has shied away from its primary duty to provide subsidised health and education to the poor and enforce rule of law. Article 63 forbids those holding foreign nationality to contest polls, yet they have been allowed to hold constitutional offices, or serve as elected representatives. Thousands of People have been killed in Karachi by hoodlums in planned target killing, whilst the state has failed to prosecute killers for political considerations since 1999 onwards. It is time that everybody in this country starts abiding by constitution in letter and in spirit and be accountable for all their acts and decisions. Elected politicians cannot assume powers of monarchs, nor can the paid bureaucracy behave as if they were still serving the colonial masters before independence.
MALIK TARIQ ALI,
Lahore, December 22.