RIPRI Adabi Academy

Beloved Pakistan was come into being on the basis of two nation theory but unfortunately, we forgot not only the theory of Islam but the theory of ethics to boot. We overlooked how to build Pakistan, its society and its organism etc but we exhausted our lives to engage ourselves how to build our good-looking bungalows and luxury articles of corporeal life by hook or by crook, when all segments of ethical teachings go up against this way of earning riches which causes dilemma and a label of corruption for all the society and also causes to defame the country.

Corruption is a general concept describing any organized, interdependent system in which part of the system is either not performing duties it was originally intended to, or performing them in an improper way, to the detriment of the system’s original purpose.

Corruption: An act committed by one in an official or fiduciary capacity who unlawfully uses his position to obtain a benefit for himself or an other, Contrary to his official duties and responsibilities. [Surendra P. Singh, 2002, Encyclopedia of Criminology, New Delhi, Reliance Publishing House]

Holy Quran opposes the corruption in clear words: “And defraud not the substance of any people, and do not act corruptly in the earth, making mischief, and guard your self against the punishment of Allah for all sorts of corruption”.(Al Quran XI:183), “Do not eat up one another’s wealth to no good purpose, nor try to bribe authorities with it so you may consume a share of (other) people’s wealth viciously while you realize (what you are doing).”(Al-Baqarah: 188)

AL-HADIS: “Whatever is taken in addition to the fixed salary, amounts to the sin of breach of trust.”

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in first constituent assembly of Pakistan on 11th August 1947 clearly disclosed that “One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering, I do not say that other countries are free from it, but, I think our condition is much worse, is bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put it down with an iron hand”.

Pakistani law also opposes the corruption as various Courts have narrated in their decisions: “Corruption is root cause of all problems being faced by country. It tentacles have engulfed both high and law officials Battle against corruption and graft can only be won if it begins at top”. [NLR 1991 Cr.LJ 297], Corruption unfortunately at present is rampant. It has reached the stage where corruption has been converted into “Legal Demand” where a law-abiding citizen cannot get his legal right enforced without meeting the ubiquitous demand of illegal gratification. As a matter of fact, corruption now a day is order of the day. [1996 UC 516], Corruption at higher level has become ramp at in almost every institution of the country and wealth of country has been ruthlessly plundered due to which country is at the verge of an economic collapse. It is high time to curb this evil in every nook of the country to save it from further economic disaster. [NLR 1999 Criminal QTa 260], Imposition of Martial law and deviation from constitutional rule in the country was sought to be justified on plane of rampant corruption of politicians. It is also not without significance that four previous elected civilian governments were also dismissed before completion of their tenure under constitution allegations of corruption besides other allegations. [2000 CLJ 180]

United Nations Convention Against Corruption 2003 purposes are: (a) To promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively, (b) To promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery, (c) To promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.

Impact of corruption in Pakistan: Corruption in Pakistan has assumed the character of an “industry”. The corrupt elements, by virtue their ill-gotten wealth (acquired through illegal means like smuggling, boarding, bribery, profiteering, adulteration, misuse of power and status, etc) are able to over-awe the various echelons of power to exploit the citizens individually and collectively.

Corruption is a two way course of action, involving components of both public and private sector, who are engaged in illegal, dishonest and unethical actions that diminish a country’s trade and industry prospects and humiliate its social and political institutions. Corruption is a symptom of Achilles’ heel in political, social, legal and monetary systems.

Political corruption of a system where public officials seek illegal individual gain through actions such as nepotism, patronage, graft, cronyism, bribery, extortion, and
Embezzlement.

Media and civil society are essential pillars in the national integrity system to ensure sustainable development. These pillars of integrity are considered as prerequisite for successful anti corruption strategies. Effective counter corruption efforts require a genuinely free press able to play its role as public watchdog by identifying and debating the issues of the day. Where this is the case civil society and the media will be able to collaborate in efforts to expose corrupt practices, and bring political pressure to bear. Moreover, citizens groups and civil society organizations are an essential check on the arbitrary use of government power through public awareness campaigns and monitoring governmental activities. Anti- corruption initiatives will not succeed without public support, and will founder if the “culture of corruption” remains unchallenged. Forgoing partnership between government and civil society can be extremely useful in encountering corruption.

Foundation of corruption is highly contextual, rooted in country’s politico-legal development, bureaucratic traditions, social history, mind frame of a society and its value system.

Corruption can not be addressed by one dimensional elucidation. Attempts to combat it must be recurrent, involving a constant safeguarding of the institutions and system of good governance.

Conventionally, fighting corruption has been seen as the responsibility of governments alone. But anti-corruption success stories, like Hong Kong and Singapore, show that public support is essential.

At the global level, Transparency International (TI) has demonstrated over its 12 years existence the importance of civil society organizations in the fight against corruption, for example by:

. Raising awareness.
. Building coalitions.
. Strengthening political resolve.
. Developing effective strategies.
. Monitoring implementation and service delivery.

NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance):
In the country where Anti Corruption Establishment and National Accountability Bureau are working to combat corruption and striving day time to up root and diminish corruption and corrupt practices made by Bureaucrats, Politicians, Bankers and businessmen etc. and so many cases are under process, in the mean time of their punishments and plea bargaining they are being sheltered by newly issued law of settlement and the country is facing loss of billions. Chief Justice of Pakistan has taken its notice but could not undo so far.
Is it justified to punish the thief of pen and hen when day after day articles are going far above the ground level of the general public? Is it a gift for the poor or affluent notorious?

Note:- This article is written by Dr. Mustafa Husain Kalhoro, Taagrraai of Ripri who is the 1st history writer of Ripri. There are his 10 published books and several unpublished. His most popular book is “HISTORY OF RIPRI”. Please visit www.ripri.pk.