This week we stand internationally challenged; from Lahore to Panama. It is strange how life imitates art. The recently released movie, pitting Superman vs. Batman, hit the screens. In real life the Man of Steel too is set on the warpath with Batman (cricket that is). This leaves Wonder Woman; perhaps a parallel can be extended to my ‘My Industrial Lord’. In all fairness, unlike the movie, Batman did not set out to take on the Man of Steel. Here the Man of Steel, to mask his vulnerability, preemptively attacked Batman.

Levity aside, the Prometheus Project was an eye opener. The Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) was set the task of investigating papers leaked from Mossack Fonesca & Co. The scale of the investigation can be understood from the fact that the information would constitute 38,000 average sized books, containing 11.5 million pages. The fallouts from a minor part of the information, has already caused serious international political repercussions. Iceland’s premier has resigned, the British prime minister was forced to confess his father’s involvement; investigations launched in a dozen countries and global calls for greater financial transparency.

The list of Panamanian Pakistanis is startling: relatives of the prime minister and chief minister, Punjab; opposition party members and relatives; all hues of business tycoons from property to pizzas; the legal fraternity including a serving judge; heads of a famous media houses; and others comprising a grand total of around 220.

The question is not of legality or illegality of offshore companies. Offshore companies are a prevalent vehicle employed by businesses. The companies by nature mask ownership, useful in concealment of assets and for circumventing regulatory and geographical barriers. Avoiding taxation is also an imperative. These factors combined, if not an indicator of culpability; certainly point towards fraud, tax evasion and more importantly moral turpitude. Another important consideration, which requires definition, is the transfer of funds to these offshore companies. If done legally, as claimed, there should be underlying documentation.

All this need to be investigated, but not by a self-appointed inquiry commission: a far cry from the proclaimed judicial commission. Perhaps it is time for the concerned investigative institutions to step up and regain some modicum of credibility. Across-the-board accountability is required for setting the future course of our country right. Sadly all this talk of concealed money stands in stark contrast to the recent news: New poverty line makes a third of Pakistanis poor More files are slated to be released in May – for whom the bells toll?

Of the only four species of river dolphins in the world, the highly endangered, Indus river dolphins, are found in Pakistan. They remain in solitude no longer; the induction of the newly formed dolphin force should provide a quantum of solace. Our particular species is functionally blind: the dolphin’s blindness stems from adapting to a muddy environment. What murkier than our prevailing circumstances in terms of crime, corruption and politics? Here is to hoping that this force manages to tread above this mire and not adapt –honesty, a rare and extinct commodity these days.

With summer life rejuvenates, albeit harshly in our environs. The colours of Lahore change: the yellow and brown tones gradually painted over, in all imaginable emerald shades. The spreading cover of tree casts soothing shadows on roads. The interplay between the patches of bright light and shade provides a stunning visual treat, while walking or driving. The contrast at times blur into one: from polarities creating the singularity of life. The yellow leaves shed, covering roads, making room for new life to bloom.

These thoughts bring to mind a verse from Ghalib:

Tha zindagi may marg ka khatka laga huwa

Urnay say paishtar bhi maira rang zard tha

(During life the inevitability of death remained / Even before the eventuality my colour was pale). — AM Lahori

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2016