What was so unexpected in the verdict passed by the Supreme Court (SC) in the Malik Riaz vs Dr Arsalan case? Other then thickening the air already laden with conspiracies and speculation, the suo motu notice taken by the SC on the alleged shady business deal between Malik Riaz and Dr Arsalan did little good. Now by letting the case follow its due course, the ball has rolled to where it should have originated in the first place. Indeed the order passed by the SC to the Attorney General of Pakistan to take strict action against both the parties is commendable; however, the suo motu notice failed to live up to its billing. For one, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry should have distanced himself from the case of his own son from the very beginning. He initially announced he would head the bench hearing the case. Fortunately, he recused himself quickly, so no further damage was done. Now that the Attorney General has been instructed by the SC to set in motion the wheels of the law and justice against Dr Arsalan and Malik Riaz, both the judiciary and the government are in for an acid test. The credibility of the judiciary would be tested with the father of one accused heading the apex court. The impartiality of the government would be tested with the friends of the other accused sitting at the helm of affairs. What will perhaps decide this conundrum is how the government sets in motion an investigation into the case, with a possible trial to follow. This melodrama has brought into the spotlight certain issues that should not be taken for granted anymore. One, the habit of taking suo motu notice should be exercised with greater circumspection from now on. Two, the government should make serious efforts to pursue corruption wherever and whenever it is found, without regard to how high and mighty the perpetrators may be. Three, media persons should refrain from aligning with the power structure to cash in on their clout and influence. Four, by condemning bribery, the apex court has directed us to redefine our materialistic culture, making it less lethal and more productive. Steeped in blunders, Pakistan is passing through critical times. Lest we slip onto the wrong side any further, let us move towards an open and transparent system that shines a probing light on any and all shenanigans that bring a bad name to the country. *