Conflicts of interest

Those holding public office should not have any conflicts of interest. This is both an Islamic and a democratic norm that serves to ensure the welfare of the public. Pakistan was created under the sole purpose of functioning as modern democratic welfare countries. But those who hold public office often have their own commercial gains in sight and tend to ignore the needs of the people. Nowhere in the developed world – where rule of law is strictly adhered to – do we find government servants living in gated housing colonies and communities.

All public officials and administrators must primarily serve the collective national interest and protect the lives and property of citizens whose taxes pay their salaries. State and private land should not be allotted to them for commercial gains and must instead be used to serve the public.

Malik Tariq Ali

Lahore