Website purge: ECP blots out MPs’ asset details

ISLAMABAD:

Amid the controversy of the Panama Papers leaks, the top election authority has removed the details of the assets owned by parliamentarians from its website.

Two years ago, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) started publishing the asset details of the members of National Assembly and provincial assemblies and the Senate. By September 30 every year, all lawmakers have to submit the information of their assets as well as those owned by their spouses and children. The ECP makes these details public by October 15.

After the 2013 general elections, the ECP had decided to put these details on its website. But the top election body has yet to publish the details for the 2014-15 fiscal.

With the ECP’s credibility already at stake, the latest move is likely to draw more criticism, especially at a time when pressure is building on the government for the scrutiny of the politicians’ assets.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2016.