THE dismissal of Chairman Pakistan Steel Mills Moeen Aftab Sheikh looks to be a step in the right direction to stem the tide of corruption, but the malady runs deeper in the face of which, it would appear to be just eyewash. The Prime Minister, who ordered the sacking, must ensure that a thorough probe is conducted into the working of the mills over the past few years and make sure that those responsible for shady dealings are not spared, irrespective of their political connections. The story making the rounds alleges that front men of influential political personalities are occupying sensitive positions in the various public institutions, and are involved in corrupt practices. The remedy requires across-the-board investigation and, if necessary, a surgical intervention, and posting of officials on merit. It is an indisputable reality that corruption has been playing havoc with national institutions with a vengeance, with an intensity that has grown with time. According to Transparency International, the corrosive trend has 'surged by whopping 400 percent in the last three years'. The Prime Minister, who dealt with this issue in his remarks before the National Assembly on Tuesday, said that the government was committed to extend its support to strengthen the Auditor General of Pakistan with a view to curbing the demon. He paid a visit to the AGP Office and issued a direction to it to do the auditing of the incumbent government and to start with his own secretariat. This no doubt suggests that he is trying to respond to the growing sense in the country as well as abroad that a rising trend of corruption is discernable under the current regime. Nevertheless, his idea about the mode of checking it is quite strange, since the AGP has already a backlog of a number of years, and besides it does not have enough staff to handle the quantum of work. To check the vicious trend, the authorities would have to give serious consideration to certain prerequisites, the neglect of which has made matters worse. For example, there is little accountability in the country, and it is no exaggeration to say that top political leadership is also involved in corrupt practices. In an independent body with constitutional cover to investigate complaints and award punishment, lies the answer. Similarly, despite claims one does not find transparency in the functioning of government departments. The act that supposedly empowers the public to seek information about it remains just a piece of paper. The ruling leadership is invested with vast discretionary powers creating temptation for misuse. It is time the Prime Minister started weeding out corrupt ministers from his cabinet.