The Curse of Corruption
Despite the excellent work being done by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), corruption is alive and well and prospering in Pakistan. Unlike Saifur Rahman’s Ehtesab Bureau (EB) which targeted only the real or perceived enemies of Saif’s mentor or Saif himself, mostly not in that order, NAB has established a reputation for being even-handed even though sometimes they can be ham-handed. As the NAB Chief has himself acknowledged, where the target was not politically motivated EB did some good work. In balance EB failed because it differentiated between friend and foe in holding only foes accountable. The public perception about NAB is that they are going about their business without fear or favour though it is unfortunate that the “physicians have been restrained the healing either themselves or the judiciary”. This restriction undercuts the absolute credibility NAB badly needs and for that matter, deserves. However something is better than nothing, the already beggared can hardly be choosers, one’s only recourse is to be satisfied with whatever crumbs are thrown one’s way, at least a few of the infamous are being held accountable. Amjad has lived upto the reputation he arrived with to establish NAB, that in itself is a very positive sign. The character and integrity of leadership of any entity must not only be above question, it must be genuinely and universally admired to be of support to the ultimate purpose of its existence, in this case accountability with credibility.
Whether it is NAB or any other accountability unit, its effectiveness is only as potent as the integrity of its personnel, especially its lead managers and investigators. Unfortunately entities tend to misuse the military’s determination to wipe out corruption for their own nefarious purposes. Let us take the example of the 1000 or so CBR people dismissed by the Government. First of all, the purge was weighted in favour of the senior CBR personnel, the fact is that most of the corruption is at the top. Yet 850 of the 1000 suspended were class 3 employees, making a pittance for their own pockets compared to those in the upper echelon. And except for a handful of notorious cases among the senior CBR personnel, the rest were those generally without any “connection”. In the meantime, the corrupt thrive on the strength of this cleansing, they now have an open cheque to loot the country. The disappointment among the more honest CBR personnel was double, shock at seeing some genuinely honest persons among the “death” list, frustration as well as confusion at the very known corrupt surviving the axe. The question one asks, why was this cleansing operation muddied? And by whom? “Why” we can easily answer, to frustrate the process of accountability in CBR, “by whom” is more difficult.
To maintain its reputation of being the only institution above board, the Army has to ruthlessly ensure that its personnel at any rank or level do not get involved in any personal motivation in their actions. At the lower ranks “fraternisation” with “civilians” is frowned upon, particularly if it involves possible misuse of authority for ulterior purposes. Particularly for those closely identified with the military hierarchy, any action for personal gain almost invariably will become public knowledge. Those targeted for accountability have a vested interest to air this “secret”, to embellish the truth so that the credibility of the Army is undercut, compromising their capacity to carry out accountability. Of particular concern are those involved in regular public dealing and thus more prone to controversy.
There are many examples of how “godfathers” misuse their position to influence contracts award for their favourites. Initially they ensure that tenders are drawn in a manner that would be “suitable” for their favourites. If that does not happen they still have a capacity for manipulation. In a tender qualification several months ago the questionnaire accompanying the bid ran into a hundred or so pages, that document was at least a 2 kgs plus, in triplicate. Obviously the tendered document came to much more, so much that it required two men to carry the load. There were two bidders, one gave in only a slim A-4 size manila envelope. Naturally the ones with the “heavy document” were ecstatic. How could those who had not answered the extensive questionnaire ever get their tender accepted? Guess who got the award? It was so blatant a manipulation that there was no question as to the scam and who were the puppet-masters behind it.
Another way is to “contact” corporate entities and “recommend” the services of a favourite company. Obviously where the entities themselves have something to hide this initiative is god-sent, it provides them invaluable flank protection. It is a mutually convenient arrangement where not only those who provide the services profit but those acquiring the services can afford to continue on their illegal course, this time with support from quarters that matter. Unfortunately such things become known. In another variation, the corrupt entities themselves actively seek out those who can provide protection. This is only a variation of the age-old “Client Patron” relationship that has bedevilled Pakistani society for the past five decades, corrupting it to the core. Unfortunately even honest people put under pressure buckle under to secure themselves (and their families) from being harassed and defamed. They quickly form unlikely alliances with those who can provide cast-iron guarantees, essentially a “barter” arrangement. It is difficult to fault such people. One senior banker whose courage and integrity one really admires has also succumbed to such compromise. With his family on the Exit Control List (ECL) he was desperate to find “connections” with NAB so as to get at least his family to safety. When the connection was made the reward for the facilitator’s company was services for the bank.
In Third World countries like Pakistan, almost everyone uses contacts. A couple of those nabbed in the recent past have such an extensive network it is mind-boggling. If one were to sit and write about it, it would extend from personal to business to multinational companies, a full-fledged encyclopedia. The problem is that when men in uniform start getting involved in scams with the notorious it does not remain a secret, it compromises the reputation in the public perception of all those in uniform. This is unfair to 99.99% of the Khakis that lead, clean honourable lives. It is said that when you tell the truth you can shame the devil but what do you do with those who remain without shame in matters both personal and professional?
Look at the PTV tender calling for bids for collecting TV and Dish Antenna fees for 2000-01. Everyone and his uncle knows that during the first 3 months, at least 30-35% of the owners of TV sets go by themselves to the banks/post offices to renew their licences. During the last 2 years this has amounted to approximately Rs.200-240 million or about 800,000 TV Licences. In one of the most blatant of scams PTV is promising to give Rs.20 commission on a sliding basis upto Rs.120 per licence. It is only after the first 3 months of the financial year (July to September) that the collection company gets into the act. In the first year of private contract for collection (1998-99) comprehensive documentation had already been made and records were available. So a windfall of almost Rs.16-20 million was given to the contractor in 1999-2000 for doing nothing. Why? That is a Rs. 20 million question. Why not award the present tender to the present contractors (period 1999-2000) who have done very well from Jan 1, 2000 onwards mainly because of the army taking power and people running to pay their taxes and other dues. Why have any “service fee” for the first three months of the new contract when the contractors have no role during that period? And why a sliding fee, why not a flat fee of Rs.30 per licence? PTV is really becoming generous with money that is not theirs. And not to worry about awarding the contract by 30 June, there are still 90 days to go before the contractor gets going on 01 Sept 2000, this period of “no service fees” can be extended upto 31 Dec 2000, PTV will save almost Rs.40-50 million. Some “godfather” is protecting the “mafia” within PTV. Those who profess to be above board in integrity are fooling themselves and the nation by not having the courage and conviction to take action against whoever the rascals may be and whatever their connections. Unfortunately these deals are made out of the public eye and do not get the media attention they deserve.
That is the essence of the curse of corruption, the misuse of connections and influence by the “untouchables”, those who bring mud to what has been a very fine uniform to wear. If one really wants to wipe out the curse of corruption from Pakistan, let us start by nabbing those who matter whatever their position or source of strength.
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