Pakistan is going through political and economic crisis since years. 2019 Cold War against India, 2020 Global Pandemic, 2021 Wave of Terrorism in Chaman/Quetta, 2022 Floods, and Downfall of government amidst Russian-Ukraine war were enough incidents to further drag down the already-crumbled economy of the country. While highlighting the causes of such a Downfall, netizens were seen cursing Corrupt Leaders, Major Fraudulent, and Capitalists for bringing country at this point.
I have observed that Zubaida Jalal Khan still remains unnoticed despite being the NAB’s first ever and a major fraudulent. Her record in corruption is ever worst when compared to ex-military Generals, N-League leaders, PPP family, and even the bureaucrats living abroad.
Zubaida Jalal Khan was an ordinary lady a few years back. She completed her education in Kuwait where her family had moved earlier. She returned back to Pakistan years later and started a school in her village (of course the most profitable business we know). She is from Baluchistan, the least developed province in Pakistan with the literacy even below 50% back then. Zubaida got fame and hence funds with a couple of years and even managed to catch the media’s attention.
Things started change with the defeat of Soviet Union in Afghanistan and regime change leading Taliban in the government. US started aiding Pakistan for different things. After the Martial Law in Pakistan, Zubaida managed to become a Minister after 2002 non-democratic elections. General Parvez Musharraf allotted the Ministry of Education to the 40-Years-old and her journey began here.
Zubaida got the budget of more than 100 Million$ from USAID within the first year of ministry. She remained involved into a series of controversies from Curriculum Reforms to Modernizing Mudrasas (Islamic Schools), and Citing Quran Verses in textbooks. None of these things could happen during her tenure. The education budget went on increasing till 6 Billion RS but not a single penny was used for whatever she purposed.
After losing her first General Elections in 2007, FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) and FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) lodged complaints against her and started investigations. Zubaida managed to flee out of Pakistan and remained inactive till the next elections. She changed her political party and this time ran for PML(N). She couldn’t even contest the elections but all complaints against her were closed since her political party won elections.
Throughout this period, Zubaida consistently denied any involvement in the corruption scandal that had initially triggered the investigations. She maintained her innocence, insisting that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated. However, initial reports and leaked documents painted a different picture, proving that there have been substance to the claims against her.
Media kept accusing her of using her political connections to escape accountability. The closure of the investigations, coupled with her party’s victory, only deepened suspicions that justice had been compromised for the sake of political expediency.
Zubaida’s story is a testament to the volatile nature of politics in Pakistan, where fortunes can change rapidly, and justice is often intertwined with political influence. Her journey from electoral defeat and legal troubles to a political comeback and the closure of investigations highlights the challenges of ensuring accountability and transparency in a system where power can be a double-edged sword. As the dust settles on this chapter of her career, the lingering questions about her past serve as a reminder of the complexities and contradictions that continue to define Pakistan’s political landscape.
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