One story has it that the highway between Lahore and Islamabad is longer than it should be because it takes a circuitous route across land held by Sharif cronies, who collected handsome returns for allowing the road to pass. Not that Sharif is alone in this. Since it is within the high-security environs of the PM's residence, no regular polo fans will ever see a game there. While the bribe is an integral part of Pakistani society, regular folk are getting tired of the ruling elite's blatant dishonesty. Strange commodity shortages occur at awkward moments.
Sugar suddenly becomes scarce, and prices skyrocket.
When that happens Pakistanis know powerful interests are fiddling with supply and demand. During Sharif's barnstorming election campaign he promised to clean up government. Few Pakistanis expect it to make much difference. Critics point out that the commission is not empowered to conduct probes during the years that Sharif was chief minister of the populous province of Punjab. Besides, cases brought before the body must go through an office run by a Sharif friend.