Either way, the shocking National Accountability Bureau (NAB) report, which is to be published on Friday (tomorrow), has the makings of a head-on collision between the government and the country’s top corruption watchdog.
The cabinet rejected the NAB report, and sources privy to the meeting’s proceedings told The Express Tribune that members expressed incredulity at the astronomical figure. Was this even possible, they asked. Now, on the cabinet’s insistence, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will summon the NAB chief and ask him to provide a statement regarding the content of the report.
On the other hand, NAB chief Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari came out with a statement immediately after the cabinet meeting, wherein he stood by the figures. “It would be shared with the media on December 14,” said a NAB spokesperson in a statement following the meeting.
“NAB is in the process of preparing a position paper pertaining to the wastage from the public exchequer due to inefficiency and the lack of capacity by the concerned stakeholders,” said the NAB spokesperson. He added that, since March 2012, under the Prevention Initiative, 173 projects at the federal and provincial levels were scrutinized by NAB, carrying a financial impact of Rs1.475 trillion.
Sources added that cabinet members also condemned an earlier Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) report on widespread corruption, and alleged that the organization is pursuing a ‘specific agenda’ to defame Pakistan. Premier Ashraf later formed a three-member committee to probe the corruption charges mentioned in the TIP report.
After the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira rejected the allegations of corruption and the impression that only the federal government was responsible for corruption, saying there were several other institutions and four provincial governments functioning in the country.
Minority seats increased
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s minorities were finally given a reason to celebrate – the federal cabinet approved in principle an increase in their seats in the National Assembly.
At present, 10 seats in the National Assembly are reserved for minorities. Now, four more seats will be given to minority representatives.
Minister In-charge for National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti had sought more seats for minorities in Parliament as well as in provincial assemblies, citing an increase in the national population.
In his opening remarks, the prime minister said: “Minorities are an integral part of Pakistani society and keeping in view their important role in the development of the country, the government has fulfilled its commitment by increasing the number of seats in the National Assembly. The promulgation of personal laws for minorities is our next target to bring them at par with the Muslims citizens of the country.”
‘Kabul must provide proof’
Earlier, while addressing the session, Premier Ashraf termed Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s allegations against Pakistan over the attack on their intelligence chief as baseless. “Instead of hurling baseless allegations, the Afghan government should provide solid evidence in this regard,” he said.
Kaira briefing
Over the CNG price issue, Kaira, briefing the media after the meeting, said it would be resolved soon but added that the Cabinet did not take up the issue since Adviser to the Prime
Minister on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain was not present.
He added that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) should resolve the CNG price issue as the Supreme Court has issued clear directions in this regard.
COMMENTS (17)
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Very simple.... When the inefficient & corrupt Public Sector Enterprises ( PIA, Railways, Steel Mills, NICL, OGRA ) are bleeding over Rs 400 Billion from the budget every year on kickbacks & misprocurement. Then the Tax-to-GDP ratio is 9% against over 20% in other countries, there is an additional bleeding of Rs 2100 Billion through tax evasions. If we divide Rs 2500 Billion by 365 days, the answer is Rs 6.8 Billion Daily !!
Since the budget of the government is Rs 3,000 billion and 50% of that is interest on debt making Rs 1,500 billion available to government, the remaining Rs 2,500 billion corruption is done by people other than politicians. Simple math and simple logic!
Looking at the picture posted with this news item. Does it look like a cabinet meeting of a third world country with:
Astronomical poverty levels Healthcare coverage non-existent for most of the country potable water is an issue for 80% of the country access to education/ justice ...well forget itMain Sadqay Democracy ka.....
The people of Pakistan has failed to face truth...why blame these politicians.....today our country would have been " dream place " had we had the guts to face truth, accept our weaknesses & learn from our past mistakes....
"leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow".. Dogbert.
The Cabinet is probably 'shocked' because they believed the number would be much higher!! or they have not been getting their 'true' share of the bounty!
Our government either think that the country is ONLY made up of idiots, and god knows we do have a great many of those, or they have been so far removed from reality that to them, it is no longer corruption but a way of life... a norm so to speak.
We are all quite aware of the opulent lifestyles and excesses of our humble leaders, they have brought our country to its knees and they are their appetites are still not sated... but hey, we have democracy... the panacea. who needs jobs, food, security, a roof, education, (won't even mention infrastructure or the economy... these words are not monosyllabic)... we have democracy!!
Please print out that word and use it for all your necessities (and no, you cannot use it as your toilet paper).
Enough is enough, time to take out the trash.
And this is only in the civilian setup... imagine what goes on in the military where no one dare asks anybody on the use or utilization of funds. What a joke we have made out of Pakistan!
Lol!!! With less then 2 months left in their government, they are now stunned by the corruption and taking action!!
Kaira is more worried that El Presidente will ask for his share now, since these guys must have been low-balling him till now ;)
Stunned because they are nabbed? The cabinet does not even pay taxes. Why give them the right to rule?
Interesting! Let us all wait anxiously to read what the NAB chief has to report and also hoping it does not turn out to be "The Mouse that Roared." Salams
The cabinet is surprised that there is so much money to be looted that they are not aware of. Looter in chief must be having a sleepless night.
Cabinet is stunned after learning their daily take out of Rs.7Billion is too low. Now they want to learn why they got stiffed. Go at it boys.
Pakistanis must provide proof that there is Load Shedding in the Country ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Admirable penchant for proofs.
Yup. the corruption in Pakistan is huge
NAB will be made to pay a heavy price for daring to reveal these details. This is a clear cut threat to democracy.
The cabinet may well go into 'shock and disbelief', but that is NOT interesting - it is the expected reaction. Admiral Fasih Bokhari is a meticulously correct person and his work must not be judged until it is presented, discussed, understood and verified. Those who suffer at the hands of the corrupt see the dawn of a new start. So let us do what we can to expose the corrupt and let the sun rise.