Won’t build up a fortune while in office: Rabbani

Promises his wealth will not increase till his retirement after three years

ISLAMABAD: In a rare gesture of honesty by a Pakistani politician, the leader of the upper house of parliament has vowed not to build a personal fortune while being in public office.

On Monday, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani handed over a file containing details of his assets to the Senate secretary with a pledge that his wealth will not increase even by a single paisa till his retirement after three years.

“I assure you that my wealth will not increase what it is today till when I’ll retire after completing my three-year tenure,” Rabbani promised while chairing the first session of the upper house after taking oath as the Senate chairman.

Rabbani said his priority would be to uphold the supremacy of parliament. He added he would guard and uphold the dignity of parliament and warned that any negligence on part of the bureaucracy to undermine the upper house of parliament would not be tolerated.

“We’ll place a roll of attendance for the government officers of joint secretary level who come to the house for taking notes. This must be clear that all the officers will mark their attendance and at the end of the session I will personally check that,” the senator said.

Declaring the Senate standing committees as the key to ensuring accountability by keeping a check and balance on government departments, he directed all the members to submit their preferences with the Senate secretariat by April 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2015.