Has PTI defaulted on its promise to root out corruption?
Amendments in the EC Act only empowers the Commission and ensures transparency: CM Khattak
Dunya News Report (Madiha Fareed)
ISLAMABAD- Talking to the media here on Saturday, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhktunkhawa Pervez Khattak denied the speculations that the government has restricted the authority of Ehtesab Commission (EC). He spelled out that the recent amendments have only added to the powers of EC and has increased the transparency of the accountability process. The provincial government is moving in the right direction by making the accountability process speedy and meaningful; he added.
He also lashed out on media for pronouncing KPK government a failure without even reading the amendments.
The KPK government came under fire recently when the Director General (DG) Ehtesab Commission resigned from his post citing “irreparable differences”. General Mohammed Hamid Khan resigned on February 10 in protest against the amendments. The four reasons he listed in his resignation letter included:
1. The internal differences among the commission members on the interpretation of the Act
2. Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) was to be made part of the Ehtesab Commission (EC), but the law was later changed and ACE was allowed to work independently which raised the issue of jurisdiction of the EC
3. Involvement of NAB in province is unlawful after 18th amendment and it undermines provincial commission s juisdiction
4. The new amendments undermine the authority of Director General of Ehtesab Commission (EC)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led government presented the “Ehtesab Commission Act 2014” in KPK assembly which was unanimously passed by the provincial legislators, the step was lauded by the analysts and the reports from agencies like Transparency International also indicated a significant decline in corruption especially in government sector. Lately, the KPK assembly had unanimously passed some amendments to the KPK Ehtesab Act 2014. The noteworthy amendments include:
1. The decision to arrest someone must be unanimously taken by the commission
2. The duration of physical remand of a suspect was reduced to 15 days from 45
3. No inquiry shall be launched on an anonymous complaint
4. The inquiry must be completed within 90 days and an investigation in 30 days
5. In case of arresting a civil servant, the chief secretary has to be informed first and when arresting a member parliament, the speaker of provincial or national assembly must be intimated in advance.
The former DG Ehtesab Commission said in Dunya News’ Program “Tonight with Moeed Pirzada” that corruption in KPK has visibly decreased on commission watch and KPK was on the path of becoming a corruption free society, but the amendments undermine the commission’s authority and provide room for the suspects. He alleged that the politicians and bureaucrats have gotten together to save each other.
Speaking to Dunya News, KPK minister Mushtaq Ghani denied the allegations of former DG. He also shut down rumors that the Government is planning to withdraw the amendments. He said the EC was becoming a one man show; the inquiries were dragged on and people were detained without any substantive proof. Moreover the amendments offer a chance of fair trial to the accused as well. The amendments were indispensible; he added.
On the question of appointing new DG, Mr. Ghani explained that the government does not appoint DG or commissioners of EC; the selection is made by an independent committee called “Search and Scrutiny Committee”, which forwards its recommendations to the provincial assembly for approval.
PTI chief released a statement saying “the resignation of EC DG is sad and unfortunate; but bound to be hiccups as it is the first attempt by any government in Pakistan to establish independent EC”.
It seems PTI is sticking to the amendments and letting go of General Hamid Khan. PTI leaders have reiterated that government’ resolve is stronger than ever to get rid of corruption. Only the time will tell whether PTI did indeed bowed down to the status-quo or has truly sought to empower the Ehtesab Commission.
