ISLAMABAD, Aug 9 (APP): The senators Wednesday called for across
the board accountability of all those involved in corrupt practices.
The Senate debated a motion under Rule 218 jointly moved by
lawmakers of various parties regarding measures to combat corruption
with focus on off-shore companies, across the board accountability and
a new accountability mechanism.
Speaking on the motion, PPPP Senator Taj Haider said the Senate
had always tried to resolve issues through developing consensus after discussion. He hoped that debate in the Upper House about measures to
combat corruption would be fruitful and provide guidelines for
eliminating the menace.
He said there was tax evasion of Rs 1.3 trillion per year which might
be avoided to overcome budget deficit being faced by the country.
He said no one, even politicians and parliamentarians, were above law
and all should take definite steps to curb corruption.
PPPP’s Farhat Ullah Babar said the element of secrecy in official
matters caused encouraged corruption and stressed for Right to
Information law at the federal level like provinces, making people’s
access to the desired information.
He said there should be a system in place where provision of
information could not be denied on any pretence and corruption should
be highlighted if committed in any institution.
PPPP’s Sehar Kamran said one could contribute for a positive change
in the society by adopting proper conduct and approach. The delay in deciding cases also led to various social evils and such shortcomings
should be addressed, she added.
BNP-M lawmaker Jehanzeb Jamaldini said focus should be made to root
out corruption as the menace was rampant in three provinces. No one was a sacred cow and all should be made accountable without any discrimination,
he added.
He said attempts could be foreseen to derail the democratic process
and those spending hundreds of millions of rupees on a single political gathering should be made accountable.
PPPP’s Karim Ahmed Khawaja said the democratic process should
remain continue and accountability of all should be ensured.
PTI’s Nauman Wazir questioned the role of parliament in rooting
out the menace of corruption and demanded some tangible actions to get
rid of it. Besides politicians, accountability of institutional heads
should also be held and investigation should be held as to whether
their lifestyles commensurate with their means, he added.
MQM’s Parliamentary Leader Col (Retd) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi
said ‘selective justice’ was injustice and questioned as to whether
joint investigation teams were formed for others also, who were named
in the Panama Papers. The corruption, he said, was like a cancer and
the entire nation had to make decision collectively to root it out.
PkMAP’s Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel said that Constitution was not being followed in the country.
MQM’s Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh said there was a need to review the existing immunity system and financial management system. “Through empowering citizens and promoting transparency and access to information system, we can get rid of corruption,” he added.
NP’s Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi also demanded across the
board accountability and called for serious efforts to get rid
of corruption.
PML-N’s Abdul Qayyum said delayed justice and giving favour
to a dictator for amending the Constitution was also corruption.
There were black sheep in institutions, who should be pointed
out instead of levelling allegations against the institutions, he
added.
MQM’s Maulana Tanveer-ul-Haq Thanvi stressed to follow Islamic
teachings and adopt honesty in worldly affairs.
JI’s Sirajul Haq said one had to positively change oneself and
asked to extend the purview of Articles 62 and 63 to all others,
besides politicians. Some 436 persons were involved in the Panama
scandal, he added.
PML-N’s Mushahid Ullah said PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
believed in the supremacy of institutions and he accepted the
apex court decision. However, he added, only correct decisions were
accepted by the people. The PML-N supporters were giving a warm welcome
to the cavalcade of their leader Nawaz Sharif and for which he saluted
them, he added.
He said the Jamaat-e-Islami was part of government in provinces,
but its leaders had not asked for investigation there despite severe allegations on their
provincial ministers. It should be demand of Jamaat-e-Islami that all 435 others named in
the Panama Papers should
be investigated, he added.
PML-N’s Javed Abbassi said politicians were accused of being corrupt,
who did legislation in atmosphere of fear while Saud Majeed of the
PML-N criticized certain parliamentarians who preferred to appear on television and did
not come to the National Assembly to vote for the slot
of prime minister. He asked for collective efforts to stamp out the corruption from the
country.
PTI’s Azam Swati asked for rule of law in the country and
indiscriminate action against those involved in corruption. He said
all should be made accountable.
ANP’s Ilyas Bilour termed across the board accountability
crucial to put the country on right track and spoke for empowering the parliament.
JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamd Ullah said the parliament wanted supremacy of
the civilians and respect of the decisions made by them. The governments
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were toppled,
while Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was not allowed to complete his tenure
for three times, he added.
He said those should be made accountable who violated the
Constitution.
PML-N’s Saeedul Hassan Mandokhail said Articles 62 and 63 should be
amended to bring others under its purview.
PPPP’s Sherry Rehman said her party had stressed for review of
Articles 62 and 63 in the past, which was opposed by other parties.