FOR
a developing country like Pakistan the biggest threat to its existence is
terrorism within its boundaries which, if unchecked, may render it
ungovernable. While external aggression unites a nation, internal dissension
motivated by ethnic or sectarian move divides or causes gross injustices and
state-institutionalised inequalities can break even the strongest of nations.
Only prompt effective remedial measures taken across the board can avert this
existential threat.
Unfortunately
Pakistan faces the cancer of terrorism bred by hate, waged by mercenaries and
massive unchecked corruption which has assumed the form of financial terrorism.
The bonding between corrupt members of this exclusive club extends beyond
political divides and amongst the few within civil-cum-khaki bureaucracy,
traders, drug traffickers, organised tax evaders, so-called religious parties
and the land-grabbing mafia.
The
ease with which Ogra chief Tauqir Sadiq was facilitated to travel across two
provinces, controlled by political parties poles apart, from an airport located
next to the sensitive Afghan border and manned by sleuths of immigration,
intelligence and police should give an insight into their commitment to save
each other.
Earlier
the whole nation stood by and watched two prominent, but controversial men,
found guilty of tax evasion to the tune of Rs120 billion and Rs50 million by
none other than the Suddle Judicial Commission appointed by the Supreme Court
of Pakistan and no attempt to prosecute either.
If
criminals declared absconders by the SC can depart from Pakistan, then what can
stop terrorists from buying their way in, or depart at ease from our
international airports. Such shocking compromises are an incentive for
corruption to breed and gain strength in the this country. While this
cooperation between the corrupt aims at saving individuals who are caught
red-handed, it threatens to drive this country to bankruptcy, anarchy and
disintegration.
Given
the social acceptance within the elite of these thugs, men like Tauqir Sadiq
will return, spending a few billions on charity and PR, be accepted as
prominent citizens and perhaps regain prominent public offices, where they will
indulge in loot and plunder, fully assured that there would be no accountability.
MALIK
TARIQ, Lahore DHA
Link
to the letter: http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=09_01_2013_006_003
[Letter to the Editor, Dawn January 9, 2013]
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