Daily Times

It seems that there are two kind of laws reserved for politicians when it comes to their accountability. On one hand, we have Prime Minister Imran Khan and his family members either given clean chit or lighter penalties while on the other hand, former president Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are consistently facing court hearings and appearances in front of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The prime minister and his sister Aleema Khan may not have held a public office before but so has Bilawal. He’s being cornered by not only NAB but the media as well when the fact remains that there’s a due process to be followed. The media cannot decide who’s guilty or innocent on its own and must report within the norms of journalistic ethics.

As for NAB, its reputation isn’t as clean as being presented in some quarters. Stories of harassment, victimisation and politically motivated cases are widely known in relevant circles. Brigadier (retd) Asad Munir’s case is a key example of how NAB’s investigating officers impose their inhumane policies upon the accused.

Similarly, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members have also faced severe victimisation at the accountability body’s hands. The legal process was not only questionable but clearly indicated that it was all about political vendetta. Indeed, the Panama Papers had incriminating evidences, but the due process was not followed by the books and there was an urgent hurry in convicting the Sharifs.

As for Bilawal, he’s most likely being victimised because he belongs to one of the most influential political dynasties of the country. His father remained in jail for 11 years accumulatively who also had to face injustices. Neither the accountability process was followed with sincerity nor anything was proven to confine him to prison in the past.

Certain sections of the media should refrain from media trials of politicians which influences the accountability process. Moreover, NAB needs to reform itself, hire competent and highly qualified officials on all levels, and pursue cases through a credible legal process free of any external influences.

If someone is guilty then the law would duly take its course but in current conditions, this is not even remotely possible. All politicians should be equally treated when it comes to their accountability rather than promoting favouritism or having deep-seated hatred. *

Published in Daily Times, March 21^st 2019.