On 27th December, Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary was celebrated at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh where PPP leaders delivered anti-establishment speeches. PPP top leadership always uses Sindh card whenever cases for corruption are opened or filed against them. In the past, they maneuvered to go scot free using their clout and through NRO. Addressing the gathering, Bilawal even termed himself as “Baghi” and also threatened to revolt against the state. PML (N) has been using anti-establishment narrative since Nawaz government was overthrown in a counter-coup. Asif Zardari had adopted this narrative to put establishment on the mat through notorious memo drafted by Hussain Haqqani the then Ambassador in the US. Two major political parties of Pakistan that remained in power for the last 30 years have been looking after each other’s interests through so-called “Charter of Democracy”, and adopting common themes against the government specifically against the armed forces.
Zardari’s rhetoric i.e. “you come for three years only, we are to stay forever” was again repeated in almost similar words during his Hyderabad speech. Same “Mantra” was repeated at the gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh against the establishment. PPP is heading the government in Sindh for last one decade but without any progress in the province, as deep-seated corruption in the province was the reason for lack of development. Sindh government will have to set its own house in order rather than blaming the center, since corruption cases against PPP leaders have not been fabricated or invented by the present government or the establishment. NAB and JIT, which are independent, have proved money laundering against them and the accused are being given enough time and opportunity to defend them, in the court of law. A false impression is also being created that establishment wants to undo 18th amendment of the constitution.
Of course, corrupt elements take refuge in the 18th amendment on the plea that provinces can run their affairs the way they want. But this amendment does not give them the right to plunder the resources of the province with impunity. Anyhow, PTI government does not enjoy 2/3rd majority in the Parliament and the Senate to push such an amendment, and the opposition parties are not likely to support this initiative as this would be like cutting their own hands. However, the Supreme Court while hearing the fake accounts case on Monday ordered that the names of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Shah be removed from both the exit control list and the joint investigation team’s report on a probe into the case. PPP leaders claim that JIT report has been rubbished, but this is not the case.
In fact, the chief justice said that the findings of the JIT report cannot be dismissed and the court has to examine the replies from the respondents. The court also ordered that the case be forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and directed the anti-corruption watchdog to wrap up its investigation within two months, and if required to file cases against the culprits. Last month, Supreme Court banned the sale, purchase and transfer of properties owned by three business groups after a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) submitted its report revealing that Rs.42 billion was laundered through 29 fake bank accounts that had also been used to pay expenses of former president Asif Zardari’s home. The JIT report claimed mis-declaration of assets by Asif Zardari in his nomination papers submitted in the 2018 general elections. Legal experts are of the view say that if JIT’s findings are proven true then Zardari may be disqualified for lifetime as lawmaker by the Supreme Court under Article 62 (1) (f) of the constitution.
