$1.8 Million for Bhutto Murder Investigation

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An amount of $1.8m has been deposited with the United Nations as the first installment for the international organisation’s fact-finding investigation of Benazir Bhutto’s murder.

But even with the probe underway, questions are being raised about the nature and utility of the exercise. As the Government of Pakistan battles on multiple fronts — militarily, economically and socially — people are asking whether this was the best decision.

The fact that the government in power does not seem to have any faith in its own investigation agencies sets the wrong precedent for citizens. It tends to confirm that the systems of policing, law and order cannot be trusted and are not considered transparent. Under such circumstances, the demand for a UN-led inquiry into the murder of three Baloch nationalist leaders is a natural corollary of the government’s decision.

The unfortunate reality is that Pakistan cannot give in to every such demand for a murder inquiry. Not only is it financially unviable, in this case it is also deemed as not significant enough to merit an international probe.

Inevitably, this has only added fuel to the fire raging in the most neglected province of the country. It is like telling the people of Balochistan that those who lead their parties do not fall into the same category of political importance as, say, the PPP does. Given that Balochistan already has a plethora of just grievances against the federal government, how relevant is the Bhutto probe for the federation’s future integrity?

Even if finding the criminals behind the assassination of a national leader is of utmost importance for Pakistan’s survival, we need to ask what good is such an expensive probe if its only aim is to determine circumstantial facts and not to identify criminal suspects. Given that no autopsy was authorised and little forensic evidence was collected from the site of the assassination how far can a fact-finding mission be expected to stretch?

Secondly, the argument that the National Assembly, as a body representative of the people, called for this inquiry holds no weight. The resolution passed by the Assembly categorically called for the UN commission to identify the culprits and financiers of the crime and to help bring them to justice. Clearly, this is not the commission’s aim, as admitted by its investigating leader, Heraldo Munoz.

Additionally, if the taxpayer’s money is being used for a national cause, why did the victim’s children participate in a meeting that took place between the president and members of the UN commission, as photographed in newspapers across the country? No doubt, Benazir Bhutto was their mother, but as unfortunate as her assassination might have been as a personal loss, there is no justification for them, as citizens of the country, to be invited to such meetings. Their presence could convey the impression that the investigation is more of a family affair than a national inquiry. In that case would it not make more sense for the family to put the probe on their personal tab? But wait — only countries can appeal to the UN and have their taxpayers foot the bill for such extravagance.

Also why will the commission’s mandate not cover summoning anyone for questioning?

At a time when the country has been pushed into a tight financial spot, is falling prey to years of its own misguided development policies and is experiencing lawlessness, was $1.8m as expendable as the government would have us believe? What’s more, this investigation is estimated to cost $4m. What Pakistan really needs at this point is investment in its health, education and legal sectors. These are the three areas that can revive the qualities of tolerance, ethics and creativity.

It’s no secret that the lack and poor quality of education has created problems over the years. Why is it still being ignored? Seeing that every financial decision has an opportunity cost — the next best alternative foregone — consider this: with just $1m, according to the Central Asia Institute’s estimates, Pakistan could build 20 new district-level schools, support 200 existing ones or keep 50,000 children enrolled in school this year.

On the other hand, if $1.8m had been used to supplement Balochistan’s education budget, the province could have experienced real growth in its education allocation by 1.8 per cent, up from Rs2.23bn last year to Rs2.27bn this year, instead of a decrease of 4.9 per cent when inflationary pressures are accounted for. Agreed, Pakistan needs to track down and punish those behind Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. As a citizen, a former prime minister and the leader of an important political party in Pakistan, the case of her murder deserves an extensive probe. But such an inquiry can and should be conducted by a national body with access to all those concerned, given that the PPP now has its own government. A country in the frontline of the war on terror and linked to Interpol and other intelligence units should at least be able to do that much.

At the same time, the provision of facilities to and capacity development of the social sector is also the job of the government. Sound social policies are essential for children and Pakistan’s young men and women. The implementation of such policies is their passport to a better life and will mould them into responsible citizens. If this is not the primary duty of a democratically elected government, then what is?

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Money in the wrong place

 

[Fracker]

That goes my Tax money... for some stupid cause!! this could be solved v easily, but those who don't want to do something, just want to show his people that see what we have done something.