The proposed law will help protect people who wish to expose corruption, illegality. PHOTO: FILE
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has proposed that the government pass a draft bill on protection of those who wish to lift the lid off corrupt practices and wrongdoings, a source in the bureau said.
Pakistan Locomotive Factory: NAB files reference against engineer
“The proposed draft bill will encourage people working in government departments or in private organisations to divulge about mismanagement, corruption and wrongdoings,” said the source.
According to the source, the proposed bill will encourage honest people to expose corruption and illegality to help promote the culture of transparency, honesty and accountability. Under the proposed law, it will be ensured that public interest disclosures are properly assessed, investigated and acted upon, the source further said.
The source said that the NAB chairman has sent a letter to the law division and proposed legislation for the protection of whistle-blowers which has also been supported by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Pervez Rashid.
The source further said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also approved the draft “Whistle-blowers Protection Bill” on the proposal of the law ministry and NAB. According to the source, the proposed bill will be presented before the federal cabinet for discussion before sending it to the national assembly for further discussion and approval.
Eradicating corruption: NAB takes steps to curb corruption
“Under the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), legislation on whistle-blowers protection is an obligation of Pakistan,” the source said.
Under the proposed legislation, the federal government shall ensure that no person(s) or a public servant(s) who has made a disclosure under this act shall be victimised by initiation of any proceedings.
The draft bill says every disclosure shall be made in good faith and the person making disclosure shall make a personal declaration stating that he reasonably believes that the information disclosed by him and allegation contained therein is substantially true.
The bill further says in case the complainant or public servant does not agree to his name being revealed to the head of the department, he shall provide all documentary evidence in support of his complaint to the competent authority and head of the department shall not directly or indirectly reveal the identity of the complainant or public servant who made the disclosure.
Under the proposed law, if the competent authority is of the opinion that the facts reveal either wilful misuse of power or wilful misuse of discretion or substantiates allegations of corruption or corrupt practices, it shall recommend to the public authority to take measures ranging from initiating proceedings against a public servant, taking appropriate administrative steps for redressing the loss caused to the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2015.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ