The Supreme Court has disqualified Nawaz Sharif from being the prime minister of Pakistan and declared him to have been dishonest and a liar. Now we hear him openly saying so what if his income cannot warrant his assets. How can we ever get rid of corruption if that is the mindset of our leaders?
The Supreme Court decision brings to mind some relevant verses. One of these is: “Idher udher ki na baat kar, yeh bata ke qafla kyoon luta?” This inspired me to write one of my own. “Idher udher ki na baat ker, ye bata ke dharna kyoon hua? Mujhe maulvion sey gila nahin, teri ehliat ka sawal hai”. Can Mr Ahsan Iqbal answer this?
The appearance of Nawaz Sharif and his children before the JIT gave one the impression of an emperor entering his court. One look at all the expensive cars made one shudder. We are, after all, a developing (read ‘underdeveloped’) nation. Inkisari seems to be a word unknown to them. It appears that he and his entourage were under the illusion that they would be received with due courtesy and open arms, instead of which he was sent home for having an iqama (residential permit). An iqama gives many facilities in the host country including coming and going at will, running a business and operating bank accounts. It was this last facility which was used for suspected money laundering. If all dealings are above board, account books will be audited regularly and signed by chartered accountants. This money did not come from a running business.
Having to appear before the JIT, and the subsequent disqualification, brought forth the wrath of Mian Sahib, his children and his sycophants. The use of derogatory language against the judges and the judiciary was totally unacceptable and unpardonable. His colleagues and those that surround him continued their rhetoric for days on end, irritating many of us by their illogical and unwise reasoning. They have to realise, and accept, that the five honourable judges were neutral, knew their jobs well and were not in the pay of Nawaz’s enemies, either local or foreign. Now he and those around him claim that they have not been charged or accused of corruption. If that is the case, why have they been indicted? This can only be done on solid proof. Why claim that it should be nobody’s problem if his assets are more than his legal income? It has been Pakistan’s misfortune to have been mostly ruled by like-minded people.
Public opinion has become very powerful and the term ‘public trial’ is heard more and more often. Nawaz Sharif claims his disqualification is unjustified because he has the support of millions of people. President Trump won with a thumping majority, but one of his presidential orders was struck down by ordinary judges, not even the Supreme Court, despite his overwhelming win.
There are many examples of bad planning and bad decisions. The Planning Division is always run by a deputy chairman (a federal minister) with the prime minister as chairman. Sartaj Aziz, former foreign and finance minister and now deputy chairman of the Planning Division is a very competent, experienced and educated officer. Why should he be put under the minister of planning? Not putting the most competent person in the right place comes at a high price, but we never seem to learn from past mistakes.
How could it be possible to overlook or ignore such an important part of the election oath? What was highly unacceptable was the clarification that it was a clerical mistake. Everyone knows that modified clauses are always put together with the changes made and are highlighted for all to see and compare with the original text. This was intentionally omitted this time. Where has our self-respect gone?
It is most unfortunate that Nawaz Sharif and his close family and supporters (some of them turncoats) resorted to nasty rhetoric and indulged in a blame game when under pressure. It would have been much more dignified and acceptable had they kept a low profile and fought their cases legally in court without any fanfare. We were unfortunate enough to have to listen to many of them trying to outdo each other in their defence tactics.
The damage done to the country by dictator Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif is substantial and their characters cannot be redeemed or salvaged. Both proved to be incompetent rulers, surrounding themselves with many incompetent self-seekers and not placing the right people in the right place. Unfortunately, the future does not seem any brighter – may Divine intercession help us.
Email: dr.a.quadeer.khangmail.com