Dunya Forum welcomes army officials' accountability
Accountability in army because COAS wants it, civilians can also do it if want to, say participants
LAHORE: (Daily Dunya) – Accountability is being done in the army because Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has decided to end corruption in his ranks, politicians can also do so if they want to, said participants on Thursday in Dunya Forum. Participants welcomed the punishment for the army officials in NLC scandal. Participants said that accountability at all levels should be done in similar fashion and no politician or bureaucrat should be dealt leniently, reported.
Participants said that accountability will remain a distant dream unless an upright person is made the Chairman NAB on merit. They said that one reason allowing the corrupt people a let off is that those guilty of corruption bargains a deal and gets free.
Zafar Ali Shah of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) said that every person who is playing with the national exchequer should be held accountable. “If generals can be held accountable, there is every reason why a civilian or a bureaucrat should be tried as well. Those who commit such crimes do it with great care and don’t leave evidence behind. No person is above law but those involved in corruption come in power and never get caught”, he said.
Zafar Ali Shah said that our law allows plea bargain. “If you did corruption worth Rs. 100, you can get away with it by giving up Rs. 50 only”, he added.
Jamaat Islami (JI) leader Liaquat Baloch welcomed the punishments to army officials in NLC scandal. “Previously, some politicians and bureaucrats have also been held accountable in Pakistan but corruption has spread to a level that a proper and vigorous system to curb corruption has become vital. All should be held accountable without any pressure”, he said. He added that NLC kind of accountability should be done on all levels. “If you want this country to survive and get this country out of economic darkness, corrupt people must be taken to the task”, he said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said that accountability in army is a proof that its leader wants accountability. “Politicians will be held accountable when their leaders will decide to end corruption”, he added. He said that NAB is not free to do its work. “I don’t see any accountability any time soon, looking at the number of cases pending with NAB”, he said. He said that unless Chairman NAB’s appointment is done on merit, there is no chance of accountability. “In Pakistan, Chairman NAB is appointed with the consent of the government and the opposition. Therefore, he remains under pressure from both sides”, he said. Boasting his government’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP), Asad Umar said that there is a good system in place in KP and that is why NAB has also started taking action. “As of now, no party including the ruling party is ready to present itself for accountability”, he added.
