Shamsa Ishfaq
Corruption – the mother of all ills – gives birth to multifarious problems like nepotism, favouritism and negating transparency and accountability. Unfortunately, Pakistan is one such country that is plagued by these evils. Despite government’s recent claims of upward trends in socio-economic indicators, nepotism and corruption are rampant in the country. Bypassing the constitutional supremacy, lavish living styles of the ruling class, foreign tours under the head of national exchequer, corruption scandals, industrialists’ monopoly, general apathy, neglect, carelessness and an attitude of indifference towards national issues are all the outcomes of corruption and root cause of all evils in the country. Consequently, the poor are sidelined and rich are bestowed, the needy are ignored and the affluent are delivered. In such a dismal state of affairs, the question of accountability does not arise. In 69 years of freedom, the successive governments have not learned that mere lucrative and emotionally charged speeches and pledges would not suffice to come up to the expectations of the people.
Rule of law is the only option that can pave way for accountability. But who really cares? Paradoxically, the ones responsible to establish the rule of law turn out to be the biggest violators here. Government of Sindh’s grant of tax exemption to two hospitals of Dr Asim Hussain is a case in point. Dr Ziauddin hospitals at North Nazimabad and Clifton of Dr Asim Hussain though work under the management of Dr Ziauddin Trust but not regarded as a trust to be exempted from tax, neither any such request for tax exemption had ever been file by the management. More astonishing is the fact that as per existing taxation law, rupees 4,72000 annually can be levied as tax on Dr Ziauddin hospital, Clifton and rupees 2,75000 per annum on hospital’s North Nazimabad branch.
It is not the only case of corruption in the country but one such case that shows what kind of nation we have turned into. It is a matter of great shame how Dr Asim Hussain has misused the name of Dr Ziauddin trust founded by his respected parents Dr Eijaz Fatima (daughter of Sir Dr Ziauddin Ahmed) and Dr Tajammul Hussain. The trust, which is named after Sir Dr Ziauddin a renowned Mathematician, a devoted Educationist and above all, a great Humanist of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, is unfortunately been used by Dr Asim not only for accumulation of wealth but for unlawful activities as well. For a record, a few of unlawful activities under the garb of Dr Ziauddin hospitals include supply of weapons and ammunition to Lyari gang, provision of medical treatment to gang war criminals and protection of killers of late Hakeem Saeed etc. Exemption from a total of rupees 747000 annual tax at the cost of great grandfather’ dignity and honour clearly shows that Dr Asim has not saved BIG.
Let us step out of Ziauddin hospital and Sindh and situation is just same throughout the country with the mere change in characters. Pakistan is a country rated in the third world where the rule of law does not prevail. Incompetent judiciary in terms of not bringing the culprits in to the gallows of law is another decisive factor in today’s sorry state of affairs. In much the similar fashion, highly centralized economy, breeds conflict amongst the poor and the rich. Given the dismal state of affairs, there is a stringent need to eradicate red-tapism, nepotism and favouritism by grooming and nurturing a culture of accountability based on trickledown effect that runs from top to bottom. Moreover, the laws must be made strict and their implementation be ensured. It is not the severity of punishment but the certainty of punishment that must be preferred to put the things in order and in right directions. Corruption is a social curse and time is fast running out to take drastic measures to get rid of it . Enough of apathy and negligence, the need of the hour is to join hands on all fronts by all members of society to ouster this curse if we wish Pakistan to prosper with dignity and pride among the comity of nations.
