“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely. ” Corruption is the absence of honesty and virtue. Corruption is the evil which leads to the economic, social and moral problems in a country. The society void of law and order is a corrupt society. It is as old as man. It is a world-wide phenomenon. It is probably found in all the countries of the world. Corruption creates a deplorable situation in the country.
Karl Kraus truly said: “Corruption is worse than prostitution, the latter might endanger the morals of an individual; the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. When we come to know about corruption level in Pakistan, then we are forced to say that Pakistan is in a terrible situation these days because there is too much corruption in Pakistan. Every department is corrupt and not performing their duty honestly. The funds and money that should be spend to provide facilities to the people of Pakistan, they are gone in corruption. The development projects are incomplete due to corruption. We are lagging behind other nations of the world due to corruption in our country. Corruption is caused either by power or by absolute power.
Frank Herbert clarifies it in this way: “Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible”. There are various forms of corruption in Pakistan. It is found in the form of cheating, fraud, swindling, nepotism, jobbery and misappropriation of funds, bribery and acceptance of gratification. The corrupt people do not abide by the laws. They ignore morality and good manners. They cause many evils in the society. It is a flea that sucks the blood of the people of Pakistan. It defames and degrades the nation in the eyes of other nations of the world.
When a sensible citizen of Pakistan ponders upon present condition of corruption in the country, he is curious to know about its root causes and its remedies. Corruption has been a menace for our country since the birth of this nation. There are many causes of the prevalence of corruption. Firstly, the wish to grow rich overnight is its root cause. Such people ignore moral values and try to feather their nest. Mostly the politicians are involved in this case. They always look to the rich and do not bother to look to the poor.
Henry Kissinger explains it with authentic arguments: Corrupt politicians make the other ten percent look bad. ” The modern civilization has urged man to adopt a high standard of living. People want to live in bungalows and board costly cars. In order to lead a luxurious life, they use many fair or foul means to grab wealth. In this way, they cause corruption. Secondly, the prices of the commodities of life are rising daily. The government has no control over anything in society. In order to meet their needs, people resort to corruption and cause different crimes in society. Thirdly, a few privileged hands in our country are very strong.
No government has the power to enforce any policy after its own will rather it has to become a puppet in the hands of the industrialists and capitalists. All the people in government have fear in their minds due to these people. John Steinbeck correctly explains this fear in this way: “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts……perhaps the fear of a loss of power. ” These people raise the prices of their production as and when they like. If a government tries to teach them a lesson, it has to lick the dust. Fourthly, fixed income people also cause corruption.
The prices of commodities of life rise daily but their salaries are not raised with that ratio. As a result, they begin to accept bribery in order to keep up their standard of living or to fulfill their needs. Fifthly, widespread unemployment in society also causes corruption. When the government imposes ban on new recruitment, the educated young men are forced to satiate their hunger in any way. As a result, they cause corruption. They become emotional in this situation.
Friedrich Nietzsche says about these youngsters: “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher steem those who think alike than those who think differently. ” Moreover, corrupt people thrive in society without any fear of punishment. They are very influential and are never brought to book. Seeing them, others are also encouraged. Sixthly, many evil customs and traditions prevail in our society. People spend lavishly on marriages and funerals only to avoid the taunts of the others. When they grow poor, they use unfair means to raise funds for their daily bread. Seventhly, modern age of fashion is also a great cause of prevalence of corruption.
Now women spend more money on their upkeep than the past. They are not content with local made items of cosmetics. They always prefer to purchase the imported costly items for beautification. For this purpose, they themselves accept bribery and also compel their husbands to do so. In this way, they cause corruption. Eighthly, many new leaders when come into power declare their determination to eradicate corruption but soon they themselves become corrupt and start amassing huge wealth.
George Bernard Shaw presents his views about these people: Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power. ” Many people become materialistic and money oriented. There is no importance of ethics and morals in business dealings. Many people think that money coming to their pocket is good. Same way, many thinking that money going out from their pocket is bad. But they don’t consider the way money is travelling. But money speaks the truth. As said by Robert A Heinlein: “Money is truthful. If a man speaks of his honor, make him pay cash. ” The most important cause of corruption is ignorance.
People have no sense to elect honest and educated representatives. As a result, these corrupt people begin to feather their nests instead of working for the welfare of the nation. Therefore, corruption prevails in society. The question that arises in the mind of every citizen of Pakistan is that when and how our Pakistan will become free from this monster which has its hold on the whole society? When the antidote for this cruel virus will be prepared? What is the surest way to get rid of corruption? Is it possible to contain corruption in our society?
Corruption is a cancer which every Pakistani must strive to cure. Eradiation of corruption is, no doubt, a difficult task but not impossible. The following steps can uproot corruption from the society. Firstly, the government should try to spread education as early as possible. Secondly, it should launch an anti-corruption propaganda in the mass media. Thirdly, it should improve the economic condition of the country. Fourthly, corrupt people should be given exemplary punishments. Fifthly, the discretionary powers of the officers should be minimized.
Sixthly, the anti-corruption department should be made more effective. Seventhly, equal distribution of wealth and leisure should be made effective. Eighthly, drive for simple living should be launched. Kurt Vonnegut presents his opposite views that corruption cannot stop or change the music and beauty of life: “No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful. ” But majority has authority; we can neglect his views outright.
Above conclusions enlighten and pave the way to understand and solve the major problem of corruption in our country. So, if we want to change this dream into reality, we should follow the good part of our heart. If we will start to believe in oneness of Allah, we will be able to play our role in its eradication. Then our dream of corruption free Pakistan will become a universal reality. Eduard Shevardnadze said that: “Corruption has its own motivations, and one has to thoroughly study that phenomenon and eliminate the foundations that allow corruption to exist. ” God Bless Pakistan!
