Needed honest politicians

The 'civil society', the strange body that arose, acted, and relapsed into a dormant state awoke last week with the dramatic Supreme Court hearing that had it riveted. It was a long wait last Wednesday evening, but 'civil society' stuck to its guns, either outside the Supreme Court building or in front of their televisions in the various cities of the land. Invitations to social gatherings were ignored as 'civil society' awaited the final word from the Chief Justice of Pakistan, once the guru of its day, and his 16 honourable brethren. The main thrust of the decision was known to all, but what would be the appendages to it? The delivery was immaculate - the decision unanimous - what needed to be said was said and justice was done and seen to be done. Now, there are many, and hopefully 'civil society' is amongst them, who wish to see the matter carried to its desired end - or to as much as an end as possible in a country whose polity is riddled with corruption of a supreme order. This decision of the highest court of the land may possibly go someway to starting a cleansing of the political system, the outing of some of the expert robbers, and the ushering in of men and women who can keep corruption at the level acceptable in democratic societies. Corruption is always and everywhere part of politics, but Pakistan has carried it to a height not often witnessed in this odd world. The views of the international press on the morning of December 17, after our momentous evening, were almost as unanimous on one vital point, as was the decision of our honourable judges on the main issue. To start with The Times (London): "Corruption is widespread among Pakistan's political leaders but the alleged scale of Mr Zardari's activities shocked even seasoned observers. The president has been accused of accumulating assets worth $1.5 billion (900 million) around the world through illegal means... "A report submitted to the court by the National Accountability Bureau, the country's top anti-corruption body, said that Mr Zardari's wealth was 'beyond his means'. An official of the bureau said that some $60 million received in alleged illegal commissions and kickbacks had been deposited in the Swiss bank accounts held by Mr Zardari and Ms Bhutto....A Swiss court had convicted Mr Zardari and Ms Bhutto and sentenced them to six months in jail, which was suspended on appeal. Mr Zardari, however, never appeared before the Swiss court." Then the New York Times: "Afraid of becoming the target of a terrorist attack, the unpopular Mr Zardari rarely leaves the presidential building, where he has remained for much of the last 10 days as the Supreme Court has whittled away at his authority....The hearings that began last week on the amnesty decree, known as the National Reconciliation Ordinance, have served to expose Mr Zardari all over again as a 'man widely perceived as corrupt', a leading Pakistani newspaper said in an editorial." Over the border to The Hindu: "The ruling is expected to pave the way for several petitions in the Supreme Court, challenging both Mr Zardari's eligibility to contest the 2008 presidential election and the immunity that is granted to him under the constitution." Followed by the Khaleej Times: "The ruling Wednesday was a major blow to the desperately unpopular Zardari and could mark the beginning of his downfall, analysts said....Zardari's opponents now plan to challenge his eligibility to hold the post." And down-under to The Australian: "Pakistan's top court has struck down a controversial amnesty deal that has protected President Zardari and his allies from corruption charges, deepening the country's political turmoil as it battles Islamic militants. "The Supreme Court's ruling prompted calls for Mr Zardari to step down and face criminal charges that were shelved two years ago as part of the amnesty....Legal experts said that the judgment could also open the way for a challenge to the legitimacy of Mr Zardari's election. 'With no moral authority it will be difficult for the president to stay in power', said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a former professor of politics at Punjab University and a leading political commentator." Moral authority? Which of our politicians, barring the man who founded the country, has ever had any moral authority? And with the drastic descent into almost total deterioration of morals and conscience, the lack of moral authority is widespread, accepted and totally non-worrisome in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The largest bank robbery known in this country took place last week in Karachi when Rs 311 million was robbed. Many laughed at the amount. What have been the total bank robberies in the form of written off loans which were disclosed recently? Reportedly, during the criminal government installed after the elections of 2002 a sum of Rs 53.5 billion was written off in some 50,000 cases relating to the top layer of those that lord it over this bankrupt poverty-stricken country, the crme de la crme, the elite of the elite. Included amongst them is the name of the wife of the current prime minister who reportedly obtained a loan of Rs 170 million, repaid Rs 35 million, and had the rest written off. The writer is a freelance columnist. Email: jilani.amina@gmail.com