Whistle-blower protection bill sails through NA

Lower house defers debate on Elections Bill 2017

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday cleared a key proposed law, The Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2017, with a majority vote, despite reservations expressed by some opposition lawmakers.

The house also unanimously passed a resolution commemorating Dr Ruth Pfau, the German nun who dedicated her life to eradication of leprosy in Pakistan. The lawmakers observed a minute's silence to pay her tribute on her demise.

The resolution states: “This House resolves that her rich legacy of selflessness, hope and perseverance be commemorated through a befitting state funeral.

“The house further resolves that a care foundation be set up in recognition of her services by the Government of Pakistan.”

Minister for States and Frontier Region Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch presented the resolution in the house.



The Public Interest Disclosure Bill, 2017 aims to address issues pertaining to modern-day economic crimes, including money-laundering, fraud, embezzlement, kickbacks, commission and other forms of corruption and corrupt practices which have become increasingly complex and therefore difficult to investigate and prosecute.

“Persons disclosing information relating to these crimes in public interests [also called whistle-blower] are often subjected to retaliation in the form of discrimination, intimidation, abuse, unjust disciplinary action -- including dismissal -- and even threats of physical harm to them and their families.”

“Protection of persons making such public interest disclosures by reporting in good faith acts of corruption and other wrongdoing(s) and illegal activities, is integral to efforts effectively combat corruption, promote public section integrity and accountability and support a clean working environment,” states the objects and reasons of the bill.

“The government has zero tolerance for corruption and its elimination is one of its foremost objectives; hence the protection of persons making public interest disclosures especially in corruption cases, is a major concern of the government,” it further stated.

The ‘note of dissent’ from opposition parliamentarians was also attached with the copy of the bill.

In the note, Dr Arif Alvi, Shagufta Jumani and SA Iqbal Quadri stated that the bill was not supplied to members of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice.



They also stated that amendments were also suggested which the law ministry should have brought back to the standing committee to see its exact wording.

“We, [the] members [of the standing committee] protest on passing of this Bill in the present form as it could have been improved.” the note summed up.

Earlier, Dr Arif Alvi, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Dr Shireen Mazari strongly criticised the bill on account of its shortcomings and most of them demanded to send it back to the standing committee concerned.

Dr Mazari especially criticised Section 6 of the bill under which exemption from disclosure is granted under specific conditions. She demanded removal of this section from the bill.

Section 6 states: “Disclosure shall not be made if the information is likely to prejudicially effect, sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, security, strategic or economic interests of the Pakistan or relation with foreign states.

“It shall also provide exemption if the disclosure contains cabinet or cabinet committee papers -- including records of deliberations of cabinet ministers, secretaries and other offices except as permitted by the cabinet secretary.”

The exemption from disclosures has a total of 11 sub-sections. Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid, who tabled the bill in the assembly, defended the government and said the bill was circulated before the meeting of the standing committee.

Moreover, he said, the proposed amendments have not been received yet which if sent may have been taken into consideration.

Another bill, The Pakistan Tobacco Board (amendment) Bill, 2017 was also passed by the house. However, debate on the Elections Bill, 2017 was deferred.

The law minister laid the Elections Bill 2017 but debate on the proposed law was deferred till next sitting on Friday.

The Establishment of Federal Bank for Cooperatives and Regulation of Cooperative Banking (Repeal) Bill, 2017 was introduced in the House.

The house also took a calling attention notice regarding 18 hours of daily load-shedding in Buner, Dir Upper, Dir Lower and Swat districts. It was responded to by the State Minister for Power.

Another notice about the supply of contaminated water of Rawal dam to the residents of Islamabad was deferred on the request of the mover.

After the question hour session, the media boycotted the house proceedings as a mark of protest against torture on media workers during the GT Road rally of the deposed premier.

The media ended the boycott when National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued directives for conducting an inquiry into the incident and ordered the interior minister to submit report in the house in a week.