Hakim Ali Zardari

A lot has appeared in the print as well electronic media eulogising late Zardari for his principles, kind heartedness and sagacity. It goes to his credit that his name never came up for any financial scandal either – something very rare in Pakistan.  May his soul rest in eternal peace, amen.

When he was  the Chairman Public Accounts Committee, the then  Director General Procurement Army was produced before him to answer for not recovering certain penalties from the defaulting suppliers who had gone under ground long ago and the amount involved was also not more than a million or so in all. On examining the case and finding the DGP(Army) not at fault, he admonished severely the staff saying, “Who have you brought here involving a petty loss to the state, where are those who have gulped down hundreds of millions and billions?”.  He then most courteously bordering on an almost apology let go the general. A great man with great vision.

Having said that could one ask whether the funeral of this great man was a state function or a private Zardari affair? There were hundreds of ‘mourners’ from the capital and up country who travelled far off for the funeral.  Did they travel on their own expense?  If not, would he have approved of such expenditure incurred on the  number of aircraft, helicopters, air tickets, limousines, security arrangements  etc. etc. used by the ministers and other state officials? It must have cost crores!! How I wish Hakim Ali Zardari were still the Chairman Public Accounts Committee to ask for it?

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)