Iqbal's 'Stray Thought'

Allama Iqbal is well respected, if not always well understood, in Pakistan. The art of using the odd quote from Iqbal to illustrate any and every argument has been mastered to a high degree. Recently I stumbled across Iqbal’s Stray Thoughts (easily downloadable from the Internet). Some of the apercus are highly original and perceptive; others are less so. One such thought (Stray Thought number 84) says: ‘If you wish to become a public leader you ought to know how to flirt with the Dame Public. Entertain her with platitudes and, if necessary, with lies’.

Iqbal’s message of rationality, progress and unity have been ignored, but this is one insight which Pakistani politicians have not failed to take on board in their contemptuous dealing with the people of Pakistan

Pakistani crickters

There are no surprises in the conviction and sentencing of the Pakistani cricketers this week for corruption. The weight of evidence against the players was overwhelming, a point noted by the judge. Why, it may be asked, has this happened to Pakistani players? The answer is simple and has nothing to do with conspiracy theories. As Imran Khan said today, “the fact is that when these players see corrupt people flourishing in our society they think they can get away with anything."

That is the nub of the issue in Pakistan. Corruption is endemic, it has made people and earned them respect. Right from petty officials to the highest office, the honourable president, are mired in corruption. The amounts involved in the cricket scandal are loose change compared with the dizzying amounts stacked in foreign accounts by politicians and their families. Most politicians are at it – if it’s not direct pecuniary gain, then it’s inappropriate use of influence on behalf of close family and friends (a phenomenon more common in Azad Kashmir where funds for lucrative ‘development projects’ are more limited).