State Gifts and Musharraf

According to The News International, Pakistan, Sunday, July 05, 2009,

Former president General Parvez Musharraf, following in the footsteps of his hand-picked prime minister Shaukat Aziz, has taken away 168 expensive gifts worth about Rs 40 million (at the pitifully low official price) given by top foreign dignitaries along with him (mostly free of cost) before leaving Pakistan to settle in London. These gifts include dozens of boxes of jewellery, necklaces, pearls, diamonds, four American revolvers, Rolex watches, gold, earrings and rings.

If this was the mindset of the two top rulers of the country for half a decade, if not more, one can well imagine as to how much role this mindset of personal interests must have played in dealing with national affairs and decision making. But, these two rulers are not the only ones to be blamed. I am certain if The News chooses to continue its investigation, it will find all of our rulers not only at federal level but also at the provincial, divisional and district level will be found involved in it. But, more surprising is the fact that none of the few honest people bring it out or as they call it in America blow the whistle.

The lacuna that the gifts can be purchased by the government officials at the market price is the root cause of this ill. The market price is to be determined by the subordinate officials who certainly will not like to displease their departing bosses. It's a matter of give and take. It's common knowledge that in all other public auctions, it is clearly stated that the government officials and even their relatives can not participate in the bidding. Why this exception has been made in case of state gifts is an open question?