Corruption debate

Corruption is being discussed day and night in every nook and corner of the country. Scandals are surfacing at an alarming rate and it is becoming difficult to keep an account of graft cases. Efforts are indeed being made by various organs of the state – including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to rein in corruption. The more you talk of this cancer, the more it grows. Let us admit our failure to bury the monster and proceed to take the inescapable step to rout the mother of all evils.

The only way to extinguish this fire is to have honest leadership at the top. As example is better than precept, therefore Nawaz Sharif should set a precedent for others to follow. If this does not happen, then the partners of corruption – including terrorism – will rip the state apart and dreams of Pakistan becoming an Asian Tiger will remain elusive. The prime minister should rise above ephemeral personal interests and lead by example instead of taking cover under the coercive power of the state.

B A Malik

Islamabad