The TIP report will also say how
much the Metro Bus Project cost and
whether any rules were violated, says Sharif. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The Punjab government and Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday. Under this MoU, TIP would review the rules and regulations and the transparency of the laptop scheme, the Ujala programme and the metro bus project. TIP will present its report before the end of government’s term.
On behalf of Punjab government, Energy Secretary Jehanzeb Khan, Higher Education Secretary Ijaz Munir and Lahore Development Authority Director General Ahad Cheema signed the MoU. On behalf of TIP its Chairman Sohail Muzaffar and Executive Director Saad Rashid signed the document.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab government had promoted transparency in governance and a corruption-free culture in the province. He said all development projects had been completed in a transparent manner during the last five years.
He said the government had presented three projects costing Rs36 billion for TIP review. He said the TIP report would also say how much the Metro Bus Project had cost and whether any rules were violated.
He said the people had a right to know whether there had been any irregularity in the use of public resources. He said the only way to ensure transparent use of resources was to introduce ruthless accountability.
The CM said the relevant documents would be promptly provided to TIP. He promised that the report would be laid before the people.
Sharif said that foreign investment worth billions of rupees had come to the province because of the Punjab government’s transparent policies.
He said the government’s detractors had carried advertisement worth millions of rupees against the Metro Bus Project. He said a rapid mass transit system costing Rs240 billion had been approved by his predecessor. He said Rs1.2 billion was spent on a feasibility report. Out of this Rs400 million was allegedly embezzled.
He said his government had arrested the embezzler from Dubai and recovered the money.
TIP Chairman Sohail Muzaffar said that under the MoU signed with the Punjab government, transparency of Metro Bus project, Ujala programme and laptops scheme would be reviewed. He added that any signs of illegal favours, corruption and nepotism in the completion of these projects would be revealed.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
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I can't appreciate it just because I'm Imran Khan's follower.
The only way to run transparent Government is to open up data about projects ( atleast important projects or where people raise too many questions about projects). It means all of the data sets are available to Public and people can question on Government actions based on DATA.
Punjab Gov is going to provide all the projects to Transparency International to get a stamp of transparency and not providing this data in public domain.
Easier way would have been to ask our suo moto expert CJ to take sou moto and make a judgment on the transparency.
We should appreciate this, the only ruling person who offered his accountability.
Why only three project? They should present yourself for all the work they have done in last five years!! What about other project like Ashiana Housing, Land Record System, Youth Festivals, Yellow Taxi, Internship Scholarship Program, Danish Schools etc. These are also some programs what Punjab governement says that they have done. They should present yourself for each and everything what they have done in five years!!!
Just like PPP did Benazir case investigation from the UNO. drama
Why is he limiting transparency international in only these projects ? Give them an open and full mandate to examine all of the work of the SS government and then I might believe him.
@kotli AJK: Bro it is all about priorities .... I'm not against development but that wasn't the need of hour while you have a whole ton of other problems be it need for education infrastructure, health etc and their pathetic state and these necessities are the actual tool for growth. Perhaps the reason can be that such projects provide a lot of glitter in a short span in elections compared to eduction or health facilities and we people continue to get sold on these petty projects. They had been in the government for like fives times now and if you are satisfied with their performance then I feel you have no clue of how much of a difference one could make with that power and resources.To be honest , I dont even expect them to look into these issues cz firstly they lack vision and secondly they are well aware that strengthening institutions and empowering them would just be hit to their future en devours in politics. Also if they still cannot collect taxes then either people don't trust them or they are incompetent for the task. At the end its a good 'Jugaar' :) for the bad governance that has prevailed for the last five years. So enjoy the bus ride while your major issues go down in drain.
@LonglivePakistan: what more do you want when taxation is so low
Wonderful initiative by Shahbaz Sharif. Presenting himself for accountability by an independent body. This is unprecedented and must be appreciated even by opponents. If the system is to be strengthened in Pakistan, political opponents must appreciate the good irrespective of who is doing it. Blanket criticism only reveals ulterior motives and personal agendas.
Now he will spend millions to get certificate of honesty then again spend millions on advertising this thing. Keep wasting tax payers amount.
Seriously ...their government has given us peanuts compared to what it could have achieved with those resources after five times in power. Also they did not had to spend so much time on these projects rather should have focused on strengthening institutions through proper legislation and empowerment. Rubbish projects or in other words 'Jugaar' Projects.
the only man working for the good of Pakistanis. ...
long live SS...:-)