Those accused of corruption often not only evade justice but continue to rule, shape policy, and command influence as if the charges against them carry no weight
- One thing is clear: a country that lets its corrupt flourish while its honest struggle, is one walking on the edge of its own collapse.
Nasir Aijaz
In the corridors of power, behind the polished speeches and well-rehearsed public appearances, lies a murky reality that most citizens of Pakistan know too well but feel helpless to challenge: corruption runs deep within the country’s political leadership. From the prime minister to provincial chief ministers, and from cabinet members to bureaucratic allies, a troubling pattern persists—those accused of corruption often not only evade justice but continue to rule, shape policy, and command influence as if the charges against them carry no weight.
For decades, Pakistan’s political landscape has been scarred by scandals—some publicized widely, others buried under the weight of time, influence, and fear. Cases surface regularly, revealing staggering misappropriation of funds, illegal land allotments, kickbacks from contracts, offshore accounts, and money laundering trails that stretch beyond national borders. Names change, parties shift alliances, but the script remains eerily familiar. Accused leaders denounce the allegations as politically motivated, their followers chant slogans of loyalty, and the legal machinery slows to a crawl. Months turn into years, hearings are postponed, and before long, the cases are forgotten—until the next scandal emerges.
There is something uniquely tragic about a nation whose people continue to suffer from inadequate healthcare, education, and inflation, while its ruling elite travels in convoys of luxury cars and resides in palatial homes guarded by state resources. The contrast is stark. It’s not merely about stolen money—it’s about stolen futures. Every rupee embezzled is a child out of school, a hospital without medicines, a road left broken, and a farmer driven to despair.
What makes the situation more alarming is not just the presence of corruption, but the normalization of it. Politicians facing serious charges often campaign for elections without shame, and win. Their corruption cases are openly discussed, yet nothing changes. Courts issue summons, and the same individuals return to power, protected by legal loopholes, political deals, or public indifference born out of hopelessness. The culture of impunity is so deeply entrenched that people no longer ask whether someone is corrupt—they ask how powerful he is.
Behind the scenes, institutions meant to uphold accountability are themselves tainted. The watchdogs, often toothless or politically compromised, become pawns in larger power games. Agencies like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and even segments of the judiciary are routinely accused of being either too weak or too selective—pursuing opposition leaders with vigor while ignoring the transgressions of those aligned with the ruling establishment. Accountability becomes less about justice and more about timing and allegiance.
What perhaps deepens the despair is that this cycle is no longer hidden. Citizens see it. They talk about it in tea stalls, on buses, in drawing rooms, and on social media. The knowledge is widespread, yet the impact is numbing. For many, voting is no longer about choosing the best candidate, but the lesser evil. People have adjusted to the idea that corruption is part of governance, not a deviation from it. That adjustment—quiet, resigned, and tragic—is perhaps the greatest cost of all.
Yet, history shows that no system, no matter how corrupt or protected, lasts forever. There are moments in the life of every nation when the people, long silenced, demand change—and that change, though delayed does come. Whether Pakistan will see such a moment soon remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: a country that lets its corrupt flourish while its honest struggle, is one walking on the edge of its own collapse.
Read: Elite Rewards, Commoners Bear the Cost
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The writer is a senior journalist based in Karachi. He can be accessed at nasir.akhund1954@gmail.com
Courtesy: The AsiaN, Seoul, South Korea (English and Korean)
