Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has admitted on television that he secured a loan in violation of rules from a bank, on the basis of political influence, to set up a sugar mill which he owns. Credit must be given to him for at least accepting that he has committed a wrong. The same unfortunately cannot be said about others, who claim to be clean and virtuous.
A loan taken from any bank without equity is in violation of rules and hence an irregularity. Such loans have been given in the past and continue to be given and, in most cases, they end up in default. This started in the 1960s when Ayub Khan abused his authority so that one particular businessman could secure a loan without sufficient equity to purchase a company.
Financial crimes and bribery are now considered the perks of political power, or the right of those holding public offices, including paid servants of the state. In Pakistan, such irregularities have become the norm and are now considered legitimate since those who are paid, or elected, to serve as custodians of the law indulge in them. We either enforce the rule of law, or we become another Somalia or Afghanistan.