Mehran Bank : Past secrets

Editorialwww.thenews.com

In his statement before the Supreme Court on Thursday, former Mehran Bank president Younis Habib revealed it all: he was forced by former president late Ghulam Ishaq Khan and former army chief Aslam Beg to arrange hundreds of millions of rupees in the ‘supreme national interest’. The money was then distributed among several politicians to create the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) and prevent Benazir Bhutto’s PPP from winning the 1990 elections. It is rare in our country for light to be thrown on political events and controversies from the past. Most simply fade away with time - leaving people in the dark. The uncovering of secrets in such a culture is therefore welcome, especially when this process throws so much light on the nature of our state and events within it. This is what is happening as the murky mysteries of Mehrangate unfold, thanks to the hearings conducted by the Supreme Court. The key players in the events of the 1990s have all appeared before the court. The case had remained largely dormant since 1996, when Air Marshal (r) Asghar Khan had filed a petition alleging that the ISI had disbursed huge funds in 1990 to politicians. Younis Habib, who appeared before the court in a wheelchair, confirmed he had transferred a total sum of Rs400 million to the accounts of various politicians. The ISI chief at that time, Asad Durrani, largely confirmed Habib’s account. On Friday, Aslam Beg, appearing in person before the three-member bench, denied he had issued the orders. He also submitted a written apology for a paragraph in his statement which the court held in contempt.

The story of a cell set up at the presidency, of the involvement of many military officers and of a chain of unfortunate events has now been told. The court wishes to know more and has asked the attorney general to produce classified documents pertaining to the affair. The AG said he would seek the government’s permission to do so. The documents could reveal even more about the sordid affair. But at a broader level, still more significant is all that it tells us about the way our state is run and crucial matters decided. The hearings by the SC are beginning to turn conjecture into concrete. Till now, beyond whispers, little has been said in public about the ISI role in politics. The wraps have suddenly been thrown off and many of our worst suspicions confirmed. Democracy needs transparency and openness. Our state needs to be relieved of the burden of so many secrets and dubious deeds. The SC verdict in this matter may just help make this possible.