ISLAMABAD: (The News) Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif did mention the loot and plunder by the previous regime, but significantly did not say what his anti-corruption strategy would be.
Though his speech covered many important and significant issues and problems faced by the nation and the PML-N government’s plans to counter these problems, he avoided sharing his government’s strategy, if any, for curbing corruption.
The party had promised the nation in its election campaign to set up an independent accountability institution which will vigorously pursue mega corruption cases and hold all corrupt people accountable.
The ruling party had promised to recover all looted money and an across the board accountability.However, there is an impression and those close to the top PML-N leadership confess that the government does not have any plan to hold the corrupt accountable.
The PML-N government wants to continue the reconciliation policy of the PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari and not arresting former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in a bogus appointments case is part of the same strategy.
Sources say neither the Swiss cases will be followed as was promised nor corruption cases at home against President Zardari will be sincerely followed by the NAB when these will reopen after completion of term of President Zardari on September 8, 2013, in 20 days.
Accountability experts believe that without punishing the corrupt against whom unavoidable evidences have been presented, no new effective accountability system could be introduced in future. It will be a great injustice to forgive all politicians involved in corruption in the name of reconciliation while punishing bureaucrats and others for corruption.
The PML-N manifesto, on the basis of which it contested and won the May 11 election, not only declared corruption as one of the biggest problems faced by the nation, but also suggested plans to confront this menace in these words: “Corruption has reached record heights in recent years.
The PML-N government will adopt zero tolerance policy for corruption. It will take every measure to ruthlessly stamp out corruption wherever found. An autonomous National Accountability Commission which is administratively, functionally and financially independent, with comprehensive powers to carry out across-the-board accountability of all holders of public offices in a fair, impartial and transparent manner will be established.
All holders of public offices will be required to file statements of assets and liabilities prior to assuming office and every year thereafter, which will be made available to the public and the concerned authorities for scrutiny.
In line with the rich traditions of Islam and successful experiments in the developed countries, the PML(N) will evolve a top-down, rule-based and merit-driven approach to achieve the objectives of good governance, democratic rule and full protection of economic, social and human rights.
The most effective way to stop corruption is by evolving a transparent and open system for every government department and organisation, combined with a system of incentives for integrity and honesty. In this context, the following measures will be adopted:
- To reduce opportunities for corruption and also to ensure decisions on merit, existing laws and rules will be amended to withdraw all discretionary powers wherever possible/practical and instead provide for exercise of powers in a fair, transparent and equitable manner.
- Freedom of Information Act will be passed in consultation with media and other stakeholders to improve transparency in government in accordance with Article 19A of the Constitution.
All curbs on freedom of the electronic and press media will be removed.
Media will be encouraged to adopt and enforce its own Code of Conduct providing for strict adherence to high professional and ethical standards.
- To promote a culture of accountability, integrity and transparency, ‘whistle-blower’ protection law (public interest disclosure) will be enacted for providing safeguards to persons who expose corruption, wrongdoing and other illegalities.
- Procurement Laws and Rules will be strengthened, requiring all public sector organisations to publish all tenders and related bidding documents online, post their development/procurement budgets on their websites, along with details of expenditure over one million rupees, enabling any person to ‘follow the money’ all tenders and documents required to participate in an auction will be made available online.
- In order to arrest and reverse rising trend of land-grabbing and encroachments, and deter/punish ‘kabza mafia’, existing laws will be strengthened and strictly enforced.”
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