ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the government wanted accountability in which no corrupt elements could be spared.
“We want such an accountably where no one could disgrace the innocents while corrupt elements could not be spared,” he said while responding to a motion, moved by the PPP member Imran Khan Zafar Leghari regarding the performance of National Accountably Bureau (NAB).
He said that it was need of the hour to make accountability process more transparent and added suggestions from the Opposition would be welcomed to further improve the system.
He said that chairman of the NAB had been appointed with the consultation of Opposition.
The Minister said the Chairman NAB had also admitted that there was a need to improve the accountability system, adding that complaints against his department employees should be addressed.
He said that the points raised by the Opposition members required proper attention.
He said Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had rightly pointed out that everyone should check their approach.
Pervaiz Rasheed said that government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had modified accountably laws and now people had raised fingers toward them.
He said that no doubt accountably process had been used as tool to victimize the opponent but the system had also delivered to some extent.
“We have a history of good and bad accountability as well,” he added.
Earlier, participating in the discussion on a matter of urgent public importance, MNA Imran Leghari said there should be accountability of corrupt persons.
He said that from 1947 to 1997, there was no institution of accountability in the country but the ratio of corruption was also low during this era.
MNA Murad Saeed said that there is a dire need of reforms in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
He said NAB should stop the process of pre-bargaining and its crackdowns should be transparent.
Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said that the previous government of Pakistan People’s Party had made 25 cases against Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that criticism is right to everyone but they should compare it with their tenure of government.
He said that corruption could not be eliminated but it can be reduce to minimum level.
Earlier, opening discussion on performance of NAB, Imran Zafar Leghari of Pakistan Peoples Party said that the dictator had set up NAB in 2002 only to change loyalty of some politicians.
Terming the NAB ordinance black law, he said it was set up for political victimization.
He urged the politicians to join hands against this evil act. He alleged that NAB was creating hitches in way of the government.
Criticizing, the NAB Chairman’s powers, he said under the existing laws, the Chairman NAB and Investigative officers (IOs) enjoyed unlimited power.
“Who will ensure their accountability,” he observed.
