THE one area in which our nation has progressed over the past few decades is in establishing freedom of the press. Undoubtedly there are accusations of political forces unfairly tilting sections of the media in their direction, or influencing media people towards certain political parties, but it is a far cry from the days of martial law suppression.

Despite our shortcomings we fare better than many countries in our neighbourhood. The number of television channels, newspapers and journals are on the rise, each carrying its version on the Internet, as though print or television were not enough. All come together to provide news, exposés, commentaries and interviews, some more meaningful than others, and delivered to our doorstep, living room, or handset, depending on our preference.

But the media does not make a nation. It is excellent at unveiling deficiencies, incompetence, or wrongdoing, but it cannot take action against the offenders. Indeed, by its very nature it must not take action against those it unmasks.

In many established democracies, just the spotlight is enough to spur public figures into self-discipline. There are several examples, but only recently a close confidant of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned from his cabinet post because of allegations of using his position to acquire an apartment in Rome at a cheaper price. He will not resume his cabinet post until the allegations are cleared.

Here the assumption is that a public figure will put the reputation of the party, self-respect, family honour and decency, above selfishness. This is clearly not the case in Pakistan anymore.

Also, in many countries the office of the prime minister has the power to assign and revoke ministries. He is empowered to suspend a member from the cabinet and reassign his portfolio to someone else until a controversy is resolved.

For example, last year when the British media reported discrepancies in expenses claimed by members of parliament, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown came under immense pressure to take action against then minister Elliott Morley, for wrongfully claiming over £16,000 in expenses. He took action against Mr Morley and asked him to step down.

Even though the amount may not have been much for rich Britain, compared to the graft cases involving public figures of poor Pakistan, respect for the law and honesty was conspicuous. This is not the case in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, the office of the president is theoretically an impartial entity overseeing fair play by parliamentary parties. He approves the attorney general — the highest legal office in the land — as counsel for the head of state, and chief prosecutor in the country. We haven't fared too well here either. As for the National Accountability Bureau, it does not nab anybody with an ounce of influence, acting more as an instrument of coercion than accountability.

The episode of Anwar Mansoor resigning in early April as attorney general citing reasons of non-cooperation and obstruction from the establishment is another blow to a virtually collapsed system. In any other country, just the thought of the attorney general conducting a probe sends shivers down one's spine. This, too, does not seem to be the case in Pakistan.

Sadly, the failure of these institutions permeates society. Perhaps it would be fair to lay the blame at the door of law-enforcement agencies, but only if they were any different from the rest of us. Do we really shun corrupt officials and treat them as pariahs, or are we inclined to look past their faults, especially if we can use them for our personal gain?

Gravitating towards wealth and power — irrespective of how it is acquired and maintained — has replaced all sense of honour and dignity. Anyone with principles is reminded that it is better to pragmatic.

None of the forces ensuring law and order are really doing their job. This is allowing our public figures to ride roughshod over the system without any fear. They are sure society will accept them despite their faults. They are confident that they will be able to stay beyond the reach of the law if and when the time comes, especially if they do the wrong thing for the right person. Simply put, laws that are not enforced are laws that are non-existent. This is the case in Pakistan.