EVER since 1953, Pakistan has been caught in a viscous Bermuda Triangle, and there seems to be no end in sight. Unlike “Bermuda Triangle” which is a natural phenomenon, Pakistan has been caught is a man-made disaster. Almost everyone is aware of identity of those involved in heinous organized crime, which has eroded the economy and driven Pakistan to a precipice of imminent economic collapse. Other than relying on cosmetic measures, the cancer remains, becoming more lethal, because of our collective failure to eliminate the evil nexus. Foreign powers cannot be blamed for most of the ills that afflict Pakistan, nor compromising sovereignty or national interest, because they could not have done that, without connivance of those at helm. The fault lies not in Pakistan, which Almighty has blessed with fertile land, natural and mineral deposits and human resources; nor in our stars, but all those who have been at helm since 1953. If Super Powers have exploited us, in pursuit of their strategic objectives, it is because few at helm, rightly or wrongly in power, willing to comprise, captive to their insatiable greed. The fault lies not with individuals, but the system which interprets green card holders eligible to hold sensitive assignments, although it is part of the process for acquisition of citizenship, when they have to renounce previous loyalties on oath. In such circumstances, national sovereignty and public interest is liable to be compromised. The choice is for us to decide.
The Father of Nation laid down the blueprint, which if followed, would have created a modern democratic welfare state for all citizens, having equal rights and opportunities based solely on merit. He had warned us of the consequences, while delivering a speech on 14 June 1948, reminding paid public office holders of the significance of oath they pledge to uphold supremacy of laws and constitution. Yet within few years of his death, those very elements, whom he considered to be remnants of British Raj, raised their heads to derail Jinnah’s vision. The political process, which was the basis of our freedom struggle, was disrupted by Bonapartes, within the paid elite, in nexus with few who had collaborated with Raj to perpetuate their occupation, such as remnants of Unionist Party and the bureaucracy, both civil and uniformed, trained by them. MAJ on 11 August 1947, stated that “remember you are now a sovereign legislative body and you have got all the powers. It therefore places on you, the gravest responsibility, as to how, you should take your decisions”. He also emphasized that “first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected” and that “one of the biggest curses from which India is suffering—is bribery and corruption”. MAJ termed “black-marketing is another curse—These black-marketers are really knowing, intelligent and ordinarily responsible people, and when they indulge” in hoarding-The entire “system of control and regulation of foodstuffs and essential commodities” is disrupted and “cause wholesale starvation and want and even death”.
Just take this needless creation of wheat crisis, where farmers are fated to suffer, for having a bumper crop, instead of being rewarded.
Nations all over the world, strive for security of essential food items. Pakistan’s economy, is primarily reliant on agriculture produce. There was no rocket science involved, for both federal government and the two provinces (Punjab and Sind), in evaluating estimated bumper wheat crop, assess existing stockpiles, and make a decision whether to import, or prepare to cater and protect the expected high yield, ripe for collection etc. Yet few powerful individuals at helm of affairs, before the elections took place, captive to their insatiable greed, assured that nothing would happen to them, decided to import almost 3.5Million Tons of wheat, estimated at over $1Billion, despite our low FOREX reserves.
This is not the first time such a criminal irregularity has been committed, nor it seems this would be the last. As long as this Casino Culture” prevails, so will the temptation to hit a jackpot. We have witnessed the IPP negotiated energy projects with guaranteed capacity payments, which have crippled the economy. For the benefit of few, within paid bureaucracy, and wholesale (Arthees) dealers and their godfathers, thousands of poor farmers have to suffer losses. This would have a cumulative impact, because farmers would have no money to harvest next cash crop, of cotton, followed by rice etc. The beneficiaries of this heist would live thereafter either in the Gulf, or other countries like Canada, UK, etc., which have become favorite choice of corrupt elite.
This Musical Chair has been on since 1958, and other than mere rhetoric or pep talk, no punitive action has been taken against anyone. It is the fear of law which enforces compliance by citizens and not holding seminars, giving sermons or publicity campaigns.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
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