Corruption is generally defined as the misuse of public authority, and political corruption is here defined as corruption in which the political decision-makers are involved. Political corruption or Malpolitics is the use of powers by politicians in power through government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain. Forms of corruption vary, but can include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement. Corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking, though it is not restricted to these activities. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is also considered political corruption.
The political system is thoroughly corrupted, hence those who rule the country, make laws gain power through corruption . They are not expected to reform the system or take measures to eradicate or reduce corruption. They are beneficiaries, it suits them. Only people with a lot of money can contest elections , then they make money to get reelected next time so this vicious circle continues. The corruption of most politicians has no limits. Most mega scandals involve politicians and their frontmen.
Wealth and power can have a compounding effect on political corruption, however, the immunity from the law that money and influence bring will not come into effect when a powerful individual injures or harms another powerful individual. If the highest echelons of the governments also take advantage of corruption or embezzlement from the state’s treasury, it is sometimes referred to the neologism kleptocracy. Members of the government can take advantage of the natural resources (e.g., diamonds and oil in a few prominent cases) or state-owned productive industries. A number of corrupt governments have enriched themselves via foreign aid. Indeed, there is a positive correlation between aid flows and high levels of corruption within recipient countries.
The book: “CAPITALISM’S ACHILLES HEEL: Dirty Money and How to Renew the Free-Market System RAYMOND W. BAKER ; Page 76-85 on Pakistan: Bhuttos & Sharif’s” exposes one of many corruption stories of big politicians, its tip of the iceberg. The Panama scandals, Broadsheet scandal are other few out of numerous.
Top ten riches men in Pakistan ….
Why Criticize 1200 politicians ?
While discussing corruption, it was pointed out that there are about 1200 politicians in the assemblies, why corruption by these 1200 people is discussed? Are there only 1200 politicians who are corrupt and no one else? Do all the plazas, towers, business centers and factories are owned by 1200 corrupt politicians? If not then we must talk of accountability of others as well, not making 1200 politicians as the only target, there may be some corrupt among them.Comments:The figure of 1200 corrupt out of total population of 180000000 is very small, rather insignificant fraction which can be ignored if they are ordinary clerks, peons, laborers, workers etc, but these 1200 people are the elite who select the rulers, they are law makers, they form policies and run the government to rule 180000000 people. These 1200 people have the pivotal position of ‘brain’ in a body. If heart, lungs, kidneys and all the other organs of human body are functioning properly but there is a problem in the ‘brain’ can that man be called healthy? A person with brain malfunction is useless; he may be lying in bed in paralysis at the mercy of life support equipment and medics. Some times even called ‘brain dead’ though all other organs are working properly. A German saying: ‘fish starts to rot from brain’.If we want to reform the society and progress as a respectable nation, we need good leaders, good politicians who should steer the country out of trouble not only filling their accounts with looted money. Higher the status of a person in government hierarchy higher is the standard of honesty, morality and character expected. Why the American and Westerners criticize their leaders for minor lapses? They force them to resign on matters considered petty in Pakistan standards [Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton]. Remember the famous saying; ‘Army of lions lead by a jackal is doomed, but the army of jackals lead by lion will deliver the victory’. Pakistan is passing through a crisis of its existence, how can we expect gang of corrupt, dishonest and incompetent politicians to take us out of this quagmire? We have to support and elect the honest, competent people with high integrity to lead, till then keep on exerting pressure on present political leadership and institutions to perform well, remain accountable to judiciary and people. Even the Constitution of Pakistan takes in to cognizance the moral aspects of elected representatives in Article 62 (d to h), also applicable to President:
(d) he is of good character and is not commonly known as one who violates Islamic Injunctions;
(e) he has adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practises obligatory duties prescribed by Islam as well as abstains from major sins;(f) he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate and honest and ameen;(g) he has not been convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or for giving false evidence;(h) he has not, after the establishment of Pakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the Ideology of Pakistan. Deliberately no legislation has been done by parliament to implement these clauses of constitution as it would hurt them the most. It is argued that article 62 (d to h) is not implemental. It is argued that article 62 (d to h) is not implementable, but they dare not remove it due to fear of public reaction. So what is democracy if the wishes of people of Pakistan are not implemented?
Giving them free hand to plunder would be disastrous. 1200 people out of 180000000 are insignificant but even one man who heads the government is important, if he is honest and sincere the effects will travel down. However we should keep their past in view, the nature can not change:
“Leopard cannot change spots at skin””Abyssinian cannot change his skin colour”Khare khooh no mithey howen, pahwey lap lap shakar payeesap de put mither na hoween paween buk buk dudh peyawey[Brackish wells do not become sweet, even if you fill it with sugar, the children of snake can never become friend even if you feed them with milk]
If the ‘innocent’ politicians do not want to be criticized, they may choose some other ‘profession’ but why even now the businessmen are also joining politics? Its lucrative, to protect and expand their business empires. Why can’t they declare their REAL assets? Weak Election Commission has not been able to sort out the fake degrees mess so far. Let it be known to every one that any one joining the politics must be ready for the scrutiny; they are not ordinary 1200 people to be ignored for their follies. If not checked they will be [they are] ruining the life of 200 million people!!!
Jihad on Corruption 