Corruption In Pakistan

Corruption has become synonymous with our existing system and is pushing our nation to a dead end. Favouritism, nepotism, misappropriation of public fund, bad debts and misuse of power are on the rise. Corruption has gained roots in our society because of wrong decisions and weak policies of the successive governments. The agencies responsible for checking corruption have completely failed in their mission. Thus accountability seems non-existent.First of all we must define the corruption. Apparantly, it would look like suspicious financial transaction alone. But that is too narrow view. Corruption today has become a way of life and it encompasses the ideological, moral and ethical values of society. It has become a part of our culture. Think about everyone else who is engaging in corruption .If we don’t do the same thing, will not it be to our loss? If a thousand people are engaging in corruption, the one who doesn’t, is only hurting himself. Corruption is a series of developed reactions to the same situation that has strengthened with time and repetition.
According to Novak,

“Built upon the desire to prevail are all other forms of corruption. Degrading others or their realities or property makes it easier to prevail. Gaining lying stifles the competing influence of others”.

In this scenario, there is no room for cooperation, fair play and justice. It is all about who is better ,powerful, influential and dominating than the others and also about how you use your advantages to subdue your opponent by talking away his or her assets.
While addressing to the constituent assembly of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam said,

“One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering is bribery and corruption that really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand”.

His words were not directed at any particular group. He foresaw corruption as a deadly virus, a poison which could sap the very foundation of a state and lay it open to all kinds of dangers.
According to Navak,

“Acquiring power is the purpose of corruption, since power is needed to prevail over other persons. When succeeding, power is acquired, and its desirability causes the behaviour to be repeated”.

The positive rewards are the acquisition of wealth, power and dominance. The act of corruption thus becomes so automatic in the human brain that it escapes the awareness of the perpetrator of corruption. Corruption in Pakistan comes in as many forms as there could be. It comes in the form of bribery receiving and giving. It exists in the show of power and influence through real and concocted relationships with people in authority and the gains they can obtain from others. The worst form of corruption is intellectual and professional dishonesty to please or benefit a few individual at the cost of others. Equally dangerous is sycophancy which misleads people in decision making and has extremely harmful effects.
In America the rising expenses of elections have created a strange situation. The jewish business magnates have turned into kingmakers because of their money and the entire American nation is being held hostage to their ability to provide enormous amount of money for the election of key contenders. This is also a form of corruption which is monopolised by a few people.
The position in the East is worse because the democratic system has not been institutionalized. And because of this practice the level of corruption is much higher while the level of discipline much lower.
In china and India corruption is gaining momentum. The indiscipline is also following in the footsteps of corruption and several uprisings point out that corruption has gained firm roots in soil too.

The major reason of fast creeping corruption are political instability, poverty, unequal structure of society, unemployment, lack of accountability, weak political institutions and absence of rule of law. Resultant they are affecting political stability, equal distribution of resources and power, confidence of local and foreign investors and political institutions.
It is pity that we are working without effective planning. Whole of the society is running aimlessly with no destination or target in view. In the process, everyone picks whatever he finds on his way. It is also one of major reason of backwardness. If we want to kill corruption at grass root level, we will have to cap those cavities where the virus of corruption nourished. If we confine ourselves to the systems alone, we will, at the most, be applying cosmetic treatment. It merely touches the tip of the iceberg. For a more lasting solution we will have to adopt effective measures to check corruption. Some of them (given below) can be helpful in reducing it if not uprooting it.
1. People should be made aware of their rights. By providing general awareness to the masses, the chances of grabbing money from the people lowers to the minimum.
2. Institutions should be made strong for proper working of the democratic system.
3. Proper system of accountability and check and balance should be implemented.
4. Red tapism is the major cause of corruption and e-governance is the best solution for this solving this problem.
5. Anti-social activities should be condemned and resisted.
6. Justice delayed is justice denied. In time justice can minimize corruption practices,
7. Salaries and wages should be increased in order to decrease the chances of corruption.
8. The unemployed class should be provided jobs and recruited purely on merit.
9. Education system must be revised and improved according to national needs.
10. Stable governments are essential to prevail justice and to uproot corruption.
It is multi-faceted problem so it should be countered on all possible fronts with sincerity. We must reform ourselves. Only proper planning and strictly implemented policies with public support can put halt to this growing menace