Noise against corruption

26 Jan, 2011

In Pakistan, the hottest issue is the corruption. The first item in the political agenda, or the anti-government rhetoric, of all the frontline political parties, is to eliminate corruption from the country. In my opinion, this is nothing but hoodwinking general public, at the least; or fighting against shadow at the best.
In a country, where the definition and effects of corruption and "the corrupts" are not determined, talking about corruption is nothing short of senselessness and is without any objectivity. So, nobody here really knows who would really end corruptions in the country from where, and how.
In my opinion, instead of making noise on "corruptions" relentlessly, the people, who really matter on national issues, should talk about establishing an environment of good governance in the country. One of the most important factors for ensuring good governance is the job conditions in the country. Those, who are working in various service sectors, including government, semi-government and private set ups, and on whose services completely depend the moving and running of the wheels of the nation, are they in a position to do their job without any fear, pressure, coercions of all kinds, and according to the demand of their conscience? They are not. They cannot work according to the best of their ability, according to their own free will and for the best of the benefit of the nation and the country. The reality on the ground tells how pathetic the conditions of the working people, the employed stuff, are here in this country of abject lawlessness.
And just for the survival and to provide a little livelihood to their dear ones, how a slavish life they use to pass by closing the doors and windows of their conscience. For this reason, the corrupt elements go unchecked, and undoubtedly others abet corruption for their own survival. This is also a cause for prevalent inefficiencies and bad governance all around.
My friend told me that, because of very visible and noticeable injustices, almost 600 agricultural scientists of the country are living, or most aptly passing the days in agony, pain and mental trepidation instead of serving this agri-starved country to the best of their abilities. This is the story of all people "at the service of the state" whose status is not directly protected or recognised by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Worse also are the cases of private sector employees, who are governed by some unspecified and unwritten so-called "master and servant rule". This "master and servant rule" is applied to the employees by the employers and the courts of law supposed to provide justice alike with same inclemency and severity, without giving any hoot to how the pay earners in distress and in dispute with the employers (some times who are the government itself) and the families of these distressed people would survive.
All these are due to the fact that, there is a misconception and misuse of non-existent "master and servant rule", and there is no law or regulations to regulate the rights and duties of the employees and pay earners, and protect their fundamental right of earning and living a contended life.
Corruption can only be eradicated by establishing good governance - and for good governance, empowering the people at service of the state, and at service of public in general through all concerns and setups with truth, self-respect and protection of right to earn and live respectful life is a must. So, laws should be enacted without any further delay for the employees of the country to protect their rights and to give easy access to justice in case of any employment dispute. Otherwise shouting against never definable corruptions would remain nothing but fighting against shadows.

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