MORAL CORRUPTION

MIKE BAXTER
(Pen Name of MAJYD AZIZ BALAGAMWALA)

The word "corruption" has been so enmeshed in the lexicon of this nation’s chequered history that no day passes by without somebody not highlighting this stigma. Politicians and their relatives are accused of corruption. Bureaucrats and their touts are accused of corruption. Businessmen and industrialists too are accused of corruption. And, of course, the word "police" is synonymous with "corruption".
Corruption generally denotes financial shenanigans, rampant bribery, or abuse of power for material gains. There is also another kind of corruption that is very seldom talked about overtly. It is always discussed in whispers or in intimate environments. The news media, too, shies away from reporting this kind of corruption by the people who matter. This is the "moral corruption".
The Pakistani Constitution explicitly envisages only honest, morally strong, and upright persons to contest as members of Parliament and other public- elected offices and appointments. But this article of the Constitution is very conveniently ignored while accepting the papers of a candidate. The provisions of the article are never enforced, before and even after the elections. Neither the religious parties nor the secular parties, neither the press nor the political commentators, and neither the armed forces nor the establishment have ever considered doing anything about the moral corruption of people who are in the public life.
There is this feeling that seems to pervade all around that there is an unspoken conspiracy to keep the picture of moral corruption under wraps or to just sweep it under the proverbial carpet. This has resulted in a scenario where the effects of moral corruption has lead to many facets of illegal, unethical, and profligate behavior not only in private life but also in the public arena too. Moral corruption causes blatant avarice, moral corruption causes un-Islamic actions, and moral corruption eventually causes a decadent society.
It was in the year 1977 when Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, Quaid-e-Awam to millions of devotees, initiated the ban on nightclubs, alcohol, horseracing, and other hedonistic activities. ZAB’s action, which was announced by him at the fag end of his tenure, as well as his political career, was actually more a populist measure to appease the religious members of the PNA, and less a serious long-term approach to purge this country of the evils of debauchery. It has been said that the late Chairman of PPP himself was a connoisseur of delectable wines and thus this step of his was nothing more than a dramatic event to channel people’s views towards him in a more favorable way.
There are parties galore all over the country where drinking alcohol is more prevalent then soft drinks or juices. The abuse of privileges to the non-Muslims by the Muslims is common knowledge. Serving of alcohol is the rule rather than an exception at Diplomatic parties. The leaders and policy-makers of the country imbibe with impunity at these functions. There are no hang-ups. Nobody makes a fuss about so-and-so indulging in the nectars of the grape. Not too long ago, an Ambassador of a friendly Far Eastern country used to openly sell booze from his mansion in Islamabad. His regular clientele included Parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and the members of the mercantile community. I am cordially invited to countless parties, dinners, and functions. Alcohol flows at these programs like water. The parties hosted by Presidential candidates and supporters during election time at Karachi Gymkhana are famous for the opportunities for KG members to enjoy drinks in unlimited quantity. A noted smuggler, some time back, stated that over 50,000 bottles of alcohol is smuggled into Karachi every month. What a laughable figure! 50,000 is just, in the immortal words of Gen Zia, "peanuts". The readers of this article can, surely come up with many stories about drinking by those who frequent the corridors of power.



Then there are tales about womanizing. The so-called red light areas are in full swing nowadays, inspite of any and all fears about AIDS. Who needs the nightclubs when one can visit Heera Mandi in Lahore or Bulbul Hazar Dastan in the old parts of Karachi? The only difference is the nationality of the entertainers. "Mujras" are common features in the domestic entertainment environment. The dancers are in much demand, especially at weddings. Well-known movie stars graduated from this field to make a name for them in Lollywood. Mujras are also effective public-relation tactics too. I have been to some of these Mujras where the hosts had invited "special" people with whom they wanted to further "cement their relationships". People like government functionaries, politicians, and those with access to power.
In the circles of those who wield power, there are innumerable cases of those who have a thing going on with the Pakistani equivalents of Pamela Bordes, Christine Keeler, or Donna Rice. Or maybe Gennifer Fowler of Arkansas, USA. There are many cases in USA that can be quoted here. Like Gary Hart who lost his Presidential bid because of a minor discretion aboard the boat Monkey Business. Or take the examples of Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggart, two well-known evangelists in USA who lost their religious empires due to their indiscretions with their secretaries or prostitutes. In USA, Congressmen are censured or asked to resign because of homosexual affairs with their pages or with male prostitutes.
In Pakistan, however, their counterparts, if indulging in these dalliances, can continue carrying on without any fall in their glorified status. The double standards work superbly in Pakistan. Since the subject of sex is taboo, anybody who is somebody can enjoy the pursuit of happiness thru debauchery without remorse, retribution, or condemnation.
Gambling is a quasi-condoned activity in these parts of the hemisphere. Betting on many aspects, e.g. test matches, World Cup, election results, horses, the weather, or even the so-called get-rich-quick raffles and lotteries is eating away the moral fiber of this nation. Families have been destroyed due to this menace. The have-nots who aspire to join the ranks of the privileged ones also indulge in these spurious activities. The rich, with money to burn, have made gambling an inherent part of their lives. Public servants, people’s representatives, sportsmen, businessmen, etc., are also active gamblers. There have been insinuations and allegations against Pakistan’s sports heroes and of their involvement with gambling overlords. Gambling dens, many under police protection, abound all over Pakistan where gamblers leisurely gamble to their heart’s (and pocket’s) content.
All in all, moral corruption is now deeply rooted in this nation. No amount of preaching from the pulpit can eradicate it. No amount of regulating or legislating can clear up this mess. The enforcers are as much guilty as those who indulge in it. In most cases the enforcer and the indulger are one and the same. It will be a cold day in hell before this country is cleansed of this scourge. The influence of Islamic parties may initiate a process of purification but hypocritical approaches to this disease will continue to give carte blanche to the hedonists of this republic. Who will cast the first stone?

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November 17-2007