IS Shahbaz Sharif making illegal money as alleged by Imran Khan? I will be most surprised if he is. I came in contact with Shahbaz some years after retirement from civil service. From his administrative and development efforts I got the impression that he was hard driving, even ruthless and may not be conforming to the set rules but he was not corrupt.
While it is true that most politicians are suspected of corruption, hardly anyone has ever been formally accused and tried. If my view of Shahbaz still holds good, I would urge him to refute Mr Khan`s allegation.
While corruption in public life, especiallyin politics and bureaucracy,is widespread, those not involved in it must not be maligned by political rivals.
Taking Mr Khan to court and the verdict would surely deter allegations made for political gain and thus restore people`s confidence in the integrity of government and the independence of courts. At present allegations of corruption are freely made and mostly go unchallenged. Thus the people never get to know the facts.
Having spent the best part of my life in public service and two decades as an impartial observer of public affairs, I am firmly of the view that charges of corruption at least in the top ranks of politics and bureaucracy should not be ignored orlightly brushed aside.The accuser or the accused must be punished avoiding complicated and costly procedures.
