NRO beneficiary quits as moral obligation
Monday, November 23, 2009
Finding his name in recently published list of beneficiaries of National Reconciliation Ordinance, the advisor of Punjab Chief Minister and principal secretary of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Saeed Mehdi has tendered his resignation stating that he never made any corruption nor took advantage under NRO. He further said that he was involved in the matter maliciously, therefore, quitting from the office as moral obligation. Mehdi said he would not accept any official designation till clearance.
Unless there are some hidden and political ramifications, the resignation of Saeed Mehdi is indeed commendable. Is he going to be the lone exception or going to be followed by hundreds of others in the government led by the worthy President of Pakistan?
Labels: Corruption, Moral Values, Nepotism, NRO, Zardari
posted @ 3:40 PM,
,
Pakistan 42nd most corrupt country: TI
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Transparency International (TI), in its report for the year 2009, has rated Pakistan to be the 42nd most corrupt country in the world. Last year Pakistan was rated as 47th most corrupt country. Thus, as per this report, corruption has further increased in Pakistan over the last one year. India has been reported to be at 84th position. TI has cited issue of (National Reconciliation Ordinance) NRO in end 2007 as the main cause for continuing increase in corruption. The NRO grants immunity to a large number of politicians and bureaucrats charged with corruption. Most of these politicians and bureaucrats led by Mr. Asif Ali Zardari are back in power.
The PPP led government continues to boast of heroic deeds since their coming in power about two years ago. The report of TI bares it all. The worthy prime minister (PM) has shown his concern about it and formed committees to streamline procedures for good governance. This action on part of the PM very clearly reflects his acceptance of the TI report. He could have denied it, too, to be false and ill founded! The thought of good governance has occurred to the PM after this report. What have his cabinet and he been doing for the last two years? Waiting for the report! PPP calls itself to be the champion of democracy and good deeds. Rhetoric are good for a while. Deeds speak louder than words. In stead of competing with India in Cricket and Hockey matches, and being emotional about it, Pakistan needs to compete with India in the field of good governance.
Labels: Corruption, Democracy, Governance
posted @ 7:43 AM,
,
Sugar Crisis and Accountability
Monday, November 16, 2009
Forty years ago, one of the reasons of downfall of Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan, then president of Pakistan, was the increase of sugar price from Rs.1.50 per kg to Rs.1.75 per kg. Our country has been passing through the sugar crisis for over two months now. Sugar which was earlier available in the market in plenty at Rs.38.00 to Rs.40.00 per kg is in short supply and the shopkeepers are selling it at the rates of their choice from Rs.50.00 to Rs.80.00 per kg in different parts of the country. And, this is happening despite the ruling of the Supreme Court of Pakistan that sugar be provided to the masses at Rs. 40.00 per kg.
All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (APSMA) has repeatedly brought out that it had informed the Ministry of Production in early Summers that, in view of less production of Sugar in the country, government should import sugar which was then available in the international market at cheaper rates than now. According to APSMA, Ministry of Production did not follow the advice and this is the main cause of the present sugar crisis. Federal as well as the provincial governments continue to opine that the crisis is prevailing because of the hoarding on part of the sugar mills and the wholesalers. The other opinion is that Supreme Courts ruling has discouraged the market forces to come into play resulting in the crisis. However, the fact is that the ruling came much after the crisis had already begun. Provincial governments continue to boast of administrative measures like raiding of the few of the sugar mills and recover thousands of sugar bags hoarded by them. Provision of sugar to the masses at the rate of Rs.40.00 per kg through government run Utility Stores, too, has been boasted about but once the masses cue up to buy sugar during the announced two hours period, to their total disappointment, they are unable to buy any sugar as either the stores are closed or the sugar is not there to be sold. This is resulting in unrest and agitations in small numbers which is likely to grow with every day passing. Either the government officials are incompetent or they are party to the artificial escalation of prices. Both of these are inexcusable.
Notwithstanding the fact that Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan was a dictator, finding himself being unable to control the agitations, he chose to resign. I doubt if any such option is even under consideration of the worthy president, prime minister, chief ministers or the concerned federal and provincial ministers. We are yet to hear even a single case of proceedings against any of the culprits; government officials, the mill owners or the wholesalers. Not a single head has rolled but for that of poor masses who are in search of sugar from pillar to the post. Initiated by a private TV channel, our political leadership, in the government and opposition alike, could not think of 'Stop using sugar drive' and have not bothered to support it by personal example.
Labels: Corruption, Governance, Government, Leadership, Sugar Crisis
posted @ 2:55 PM,
,
Corrupt Parliamentarians
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Associated Press reports that William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans for nearly 20 years has been sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison for taking $500,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
I long to see such like verdicts in Pakistan.
Labels: Corruption, Democracy, Governance
posted @ 11:35 AM,
,
Prosecution of NRO beneficiaries
Monday, November 9, 2009
The News International dated Monday, November 09, 2009, writes in its editorial:
The constitutional experts are of the opinion that the NRO could be challenged in the superior courts for being in contradiction of the Constitution and a sheer violation of the basic human rights. In case the contention is accepted, the beneficiaries of the infamous law would be exposed to legal proceedings, including restoration of their status as accused, proclaimed offender and they would also be liable for arrest.
Even if the beneficiaries of NRO become liable to legal proceedings and their status (prior to NRO) as accused, proclaimed offenders and being liable to arrest is restored, the question is as to what is going to be outcome of these legal proceedings. The cases against these individuals are to be pursued by the government and the affected individuals are also part of the government in one form or the other. Will the PPP led coalition government pursue these cases vigorously against its own jiyalas? The delliberate action on part of the prosecution will be to dilute and take the steam out of these cases.
Labels: Corruption, Justice, NRO
posted @ 7:41 PM,
,
Withdrawl of NRO
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the majority party, withdrawn National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)to avoid voting on the bill by the parliament. It had to been done as it became distinctly clear that the game of numbers was not in their favor and that the bill was doomed to be rejected by the majority. This became obvious once one of the major coalition partners, Muttehidda Qaumi Movement(MQM), declared that it would vote against the bill.
NRO indemnifies a large number of politicians and bureaucrats with respect to cases of large scale pending in the courts on the pretext that the cases were politically motivated to victimize the opposition. The bill very clearly violates the equality of justice and provides unlimited relief to the beneficiaries.
Surprisingly, the opposition parties did not insist on the presentation of the bill. Had the opposition, along with MQM, insisted on its presentation, PPP had no choice but to do so and face the defeat. It would have been far better if the bill was presented and voted against rather than its withdrawal. This would have certainly been a rightful expression of the intentions of the parliamentarians as to who were for such exceptions of indemnities and who were against it. But, perhaps, there is some tacit understanding between the opposition and the ruling alliance not to push each other to the wall irrespective of the national interests.
Labels: Corruption, NRO, Power Politics
posted @ 10:23 PM,
,
14 Senators enjoying their previous official positions
Sunday, July 12, 2009
According to The news International, Pakistan, Sunday, July 12, 2009
Fourteen sitting senators are enjoying their previous official positions as chairpersons of standing committees despite dissolution of all such panels with the oath-taking of 50 new members on March 12, 2009.
Mir Mohabat Khan Marri, Gulshan Saeed, Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi, SM Zafar, Tahir Ali Mashhadi, Wali Muhammad Badini, Ahmed Ali, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, Muhammad Talha Mehmood, Naeem Hussain Chattha, Abdul Razzak Thahim, Abdul Raziq, Engr Rashid Ahmed and Kulsoom Perveen are the 14 beneficiary senators.
A chairperson of a committee, whether of the Senate or the National Assembly, receives Rs 12,700 extra as honoraria. He/she is authorised to receive Rs 3,750 daily (Rs 1,000 a daily allowance, Rs 750 conveyance allowance and Rs 2,000 housing allowance besides Rs 5 per kilometre or Business Class air ticket for travel purpose).
Our worthy legislators are supposed to be leading the nation upfront representing their constituencies or provinces. Their personal examples are supposed to be emulated by others. Whereas, it is surprising as to why the institution of Senate doesn't have a system to check these misappropriations, further surprising is as to why none of these have forfeieted these privileges by themselves. After all, these senators are the men of principles. If these leaders can't forego the privileges which they no longer are entitled to, what should the common masses expect from them in terms of policy decision making!
Labels: Corruption, Governance, Leadership, Legislators, Senators
posted @ 10:23 AM,
,
State Gifts and Musharraf
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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?
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?
Labels: Corruption, Governance, Leadership, Moral Values
posted @ 9:22 PM,
,
State Gifts and Shaukat Aziz
Friday, July 3, 2009
According to The News International, Pakistan, Friday, July 03, 2009
Former prime minister and billionaire, Shaukat Aziz, had taken 736 gifts worth with him on his last bye-bye Pakistan flight to London. The state booty included half a dozen more necklaces, 18 kt gold, gold coins, pearls, crowns, diamonds, Rolex watches, bracelets, carpets, Chinese pandas (presumably figurines because the list does not elaborate) etc after getting them massively undervalued by the obliging Cabinet Division evaluators by paying only token money. One sources said, the total value of these 736 gifts, whose total price keeping the importance of those gifts given by the heads of foreign countries in the open market view, would easily be over Rs100 million, but it was priced at Rs25 million so that one of the richest prime ministers of our history with Rs7 billion declared assets with Election Commission of Pakistan could retain them free of cost.
This is the true state of affairs of our worthy rulers. Needless to say that if cases of other rulers are investigated, the story is least likelt to be any different. It's not a question of a few million rupees but that of the mindset and the ethics. Will the present government take measures to prevent the repitition of such like swindling?
Labels: Corruption, Ethics, Governance, Leadership, Moral Values, Shaukat Aziz
posted @ 12:35 PM,
,
