Global moot: Pakistan’s tax reforms hailed

American journalist James B Steele says role of investigative journalists in exposing corruption remains key

NORWAY/ LILLEHAMMER:

At an international conference, investigative journalists and experts agreed that Pakistan has done a great job as compared to other developing nations to reform its tax system.

“Pakistani government’s decision to publish a tax directory of parliamentarians was a great success of investigative reporting,” said American journalist James B Steele, who won two back-to-back Pulitzer prizes.

He said the role of investigative journalists in exposing corruption, organised crime and abuse of power remains key. He was in Norway to attend the 9th Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Norway.

He said investigative reporting exposed tax dodgers, particularly lawmakers, which, in turn, sensitised the Pakistani government and public about the importance of tax reforms.

He said the documents were important for producing excellent investigative reports on issues like corruption, mismanagement and lack of accountability. He said national interest is a vague term used by governments to stifle criticism.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2015.