Rashid Hussain
Corruption is number one problem of Pakistan, Corruption is causing Terrorism, Corruption is mother of all ills, and Corruption is biggest hurdle in way to socio-economic development. We all, at all occasions keep uttering such sentences in one way or the other. All our efforts to eradicate corruption have proved futile owing to numerous reasons. Incumbent Government initiated a move to write slogan ‘Say No to Corruption’ on all government correspondence, advertisements and even Balochistan Public Service Commission pasted this sentence on question papers of PCS Exam.
But is it possible to eradicate corruption just by promoting anti-corruption rhetoric in a society which is completely trapped in the menace of Corruption as Pakistan ranked 124 in Corruption Perception Index of Amnesty International. Hundreds of millions of cash is recovered in NAB raid from Home of a government Secretary. I will leave readers to ponder over the question and let me share the means of corruption in the light of experiences a common man faces while ‘Saying No to Corruption’ and how hard it is, for public, to bear the consequences of such unacceptable words.
The whole system of our bureaucracy is kind of dependent on the fuel of corruption, you cannot think of getting your legal work done without greasing the palm, palms of peon to PM; Panama Papers explicitly named members of PM’s families involved in tax evasion via offshore companies. Everyone charges his own amount of corruption ciphered in various names e.g ‘Mithai’ (sweets), ‘Kharcha’ (expenditure) ‘Chai Pani’ (Tea) If you want to get appointment orders you have to pay Mathai, If you are to get pension you must pay Kharcha and if you intend to get transferred/Posted you may be asked for Chai Pani. All are nothing but variant of bribes and a civilized way of doing corruption.
Dare not to deny anyone this bribe else your ready work could be delayed, your file could be misplaced, an unexpected legal restraint or deficiency can also arise at eleventh hour. It would be better not to commit any such mistake. Keep a big generous heart, miser and honest people hardly enjoy the pleasure of getting things done at ease. You will even be threatened of dire consequences if you don’t pay kickbacks. So be careful while ‘Saying No to Corruption’ The famous Indian serial ‘Office Office’ also depicts numerous instances how defying norms of corruptions resulted in adversities for the common man.
When ‘Say No to Corruption’ begets an unending series of hardship who dares to say, worse is even if someone does, what guarantees are he will escape wrath of corrupt mafia. So What needs to be done to empower man to ‘Say No to Corruption’ the culture of Mathai, Kharcha, Chai Pani (Sweets, Expenditure, Tea/Coffee) to be discouraged and the violators to be punished. The Government should arrange a system where complaints against corrupt officials be lodged and speedy action to be taken, this however, doesn’t affect the complainant in any way, instead he should be rewarded by carrying out his work more promptly and with dignity. Promotions to be subject to sans-corruption discharge of duties, those implicated in corruption charges must be denied promotions, this will compel them to shun corruption. CCTV cameras to be placed in offices, this will ensure monitoring of officials.
The move to promote anti-corruption rhetoric is a good one to root-out corruption but the atmosphere in our society is not conducive to take such stands and adhere to it. There is a dire need to be made to empower common man to ‘Say No to Corruption’
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
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