Accountability bill’s draft changed: PML-N
Dawn September 1, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: The Pakistan Muslim League-N has rejected the proposed Accountability Commission Bill that bars prosecution of a holder of public office three years after the completion of his term.

“We have rejected the draft of the bill because many changes have been made after its finalisation by a parliamentary committee,” PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told Dawn on Monday.

If the bill is implemented and the National Reconciliation Ordinance is repealed, accused in the cases of white-colour crimes washed out by former president Pervez Musharraf will have no fear of accountability because the NRO had provided immunity for the period from 1986 to 1999.

The PML-N believes that the proposed bill will provide immunity to President Asif Ali Zardari for his previous terms in government, former prime ministers Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and several former governors, chief ministers, ministers and bureaucrats, who completed their term by August 2006.

A member of the parliamentary committee on the Accountability Commission Bill said: “This would also provide shelter to those who had already been indemnified under the NRO promulgated by Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.”

The PML-N has called for a meeting of the committee to revisit the proposed bill.

The PML-N has also asked the government to include all the clauses of the existing National Accountability Ordinance in the proposed bill

PML-N won't support new accountability bill
Business Recorder August 26, 2009

ISLAMABAD (August 26 2009): Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will not support the new accountability bill in its existing form while a Senator vowed to move the upper house against what he termed the bill another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). Talking to Business Recorder on Tuesday, PML-N Chairman Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said his party would never support the accountability bill as it was published in a section of the press.

"We are reading the contents of the bill as published in the press. Let it once be placed before the parliament, we will never allow its passage unless it was modified in line with the Charter of Democracy (CoD),"he said. Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed vowed to raise the issue in the upper house, saying this was another NRO by this government that allowed amnesty to the bigwigs involved in corruption.

This would be a joke to the accountability, particularly when Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was repeatedly making statements in the parliament that the government wanted to replace the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with the an Accountability Commission as envisaged in the Charter of Democracy, he said.

But the draft bill as finalised by the government to replace the NAB with Accountability Commission is reportedly another NRO because it bars the prosecution of any public office-holder after three years of his retirement from the post.

The draft law reportedly forwarded to the leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to have his final look prior to putting it before the parliament for enactment would certainly bring more embarrassment for the government already struggling against the rising allegations of corruption.

A strong criticism is also expected from the allies, who wanted a transparent system of accountability. The allies of the government, on the condition of anonymity, said that they would not be part of any such action that would make a selected class in the country above accountability.

They were of the view that this country needed nothing else more than accountability and good governance. Though the draft law envisages check on corruption, in reality it provides a safe and secure outlet to a public office-holder, who even charged in a corruption case, could be freed at any stage by voluntarily returning the looted money. But the public office-holder would only face such compulsion when he would feel the threat of being arrested, which is not possible under the draft law.

Toothless accountability bill on the way
The News August 21, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The government has finalised a draft law that would replace the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with an impotent Accountability Commission, having no powers to arrest even those involved in frauds of hundreds of billions of rupees.

Additionally, all offences under the future accountability law would be bailable. The bill would be presented in parliament anytime but in the last few days some government players have worked late nights to ensure that the new law does not have any teeth to bite the corrupt.

According to the sources, the draft law finalised by the standing committee on law and justice has been changed to the satisfaction of the government. The final version of the draft law, when presented before parliament, may surprise most members of the standing committee. They had recommended that the chairman of the Accountability Commission should have the power to order arrest of the person against whom there is sufficient evidence of corruption.

The draft law, as cleared by the standing committee, included clause 19 that said: “No arrest without approval of chairman: No person accused of an offence under this Act shall be arrested without prior approval of the chairman.”

The finalised draft law excluded the above provision. In its clause 18, the final draft says, “Bail: Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or any other law for the time being in force, the offences under this Act shall be bailable and the accused shall not be arrested but shall execute a personal bond for appearance before the chairman, the investigation officer or the court, as the case may be.”

The finalised draft law also makes the future of the NAB employees uncertain. About the deputationists, it says that they would be repatriated to their parent departments whereas those appointed on contract shall notwithstanding anything in their terms of contract cease to hold office provided that any such contract employee may be reappointed on new terms and conditions keeping in view his experience and usefulness for the commission.

In case of other employees of the NAB, according to the draft law, the Law Ministry would lay down a policy for their retention or otherwise in consultation with the Finance Division and the Establishment Division.

The future Accountability Commission has been restricted to probe cases only against the holders of public offices and civil servants in grade 17 and above. However, even for such a probe the commission would work under the Law Ministry.

The future law has also limited the offences of corruption and corrupt practices. These offences include: if an office holder accepts or obtains from any person any gratification, other than legal remuneration, and valuable things; if he dishonestly or fraudulently misappropriates or otherwise converts for his own use or for the use of any other person any property entrusted to him or under his control or wilfully allows any other person so to do; if he, by corrupt, dishonest, or illegal means, in abuse of his position as a holder of public office, obtains or seeks to obtain for himself, or for his spouse or any of his dependents any property, valuable thing, or pecuniary advantage.

A person who voluntarily returns the money earned through corruption would not be prosecuted and those facing trial would also be acquitted if they too voluntarily return such money/assets. These provisions of the law instead of serving as a check on corruption, gives a free hand to the corrupt and allow them to make any amount of money. Besides, when they have any fear of being caught could go scot-free by returning such amount voluntarily.

The maximum punishment for corruption would be only seven years. The chairman of the Accountability Commission would be appointed for a term of three years by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and would be confirmed by a parliamentary committee within forty-five days.

NA body seeks powers for Accountability Commission
Daily Times July 9, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday recommended the proposed Accountability Commission be given the power to decide matters relating to the non-payment of loans from banks, financial institutions and cooperative societies.

The committee, which met at the Parliament House re-examined The Holder of Public Office (Accountability) Act 2009. The committee also recommended that financial experts should be included in the commission.

Also, the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications further considered the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007. The committee, chaired by Barjees Tahir, considered the report of the sub-committee and the dissenting note by one of the committee members, Anusha Rehman advocate, who said laws should be made in view of the evolving technologies without violating the fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution. staff report

NA law committee for implementation of accountability law
Daily Times June 3, 2009

3 June 2009: ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Tuesday recommended the government implement the proposed accountability law with retrospective effect since 1985 with no time limit to initiate prosecution against a public office holder.

The committee met at the Parliament House with Azra Fazal Pechuho in the chair to discuss government-initiated Holders of Public Offices (Accountability) Act, 2009 and made some important recommendations in this regard.

After discussing the act, the committee unanimously recommended bringing the proposed law into force.

Recommendations: The committee decided that a person who was, or had been, a Supreme Court (SC) judge would head the new accountability commission.

It opposed the proposed clause that said a person who was qualified to become an SC judge could also be appointed chairman of the commission.

The committee members unanimously decided that the chairman should not be eligible for any extension in the tenure or reappointment as the commission’s chairperson.

However, the committee could not decide under what circumstances could the chairperson be removed from the position.

Pakistan Muslim Nawaz (PML-N) member Zahid Hamid and Anusha Rehman, and Raza Hayat Hiraj of the PML-Quaid opposed the government’s suggestion to assign the task of appointing the commission’s head to the Federal Public Service Commission, saying the matter should be referred to the Supreme Judicial Council.

The committee directed the Ministry of Finance to define the term of wilful defaulter by amending the Banking Recovery Ordinance, 2001 through the finance bill.

The standing committee recommended the government delete a clause regarding waiver of prosecution after a certain time period.

Discussing another clause, the committee recommended that if a public office holder were convicted of corruption, he would stand disqualified for five years and bureaucrats would be permanently dismissed from service.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs was informed that 80,000 pilgrims would perform Haj under the government scheme and 79,647 through the Haj Group Organizers (HGOs) scheme.

The committee was informed that Pakistan International Airlines had reduced haj fares by approximately Rs 12,000.

In a separate meeting, the NA Standing Committee on Social Welfare appreciated the role of Pakistan Baitul Maal Managing Director Zamurad Khan for his efforts to provide relief services to the internally displaced persons.

The committee also appealed to welfare organisations across the country to step up their efforts for the rehabilitation of the displaced population of Swat and Malakand in order to minimise their hardships.

The committee also took a strong note of the bogus aid camps established across the country for collecting donations in the name of the displaced persons, demanding that donation camps should only be allowed after permission by the concerned district coordination officer.

PML-N unhappy with accountability bill draft Party leaders point to ‘loopholes’ in document, say nobody should be exempted from accountability
PakTribune.com May 14, 2009

The bill – called the ‘Holders of Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2009’ – was discussed at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice which was presided over by Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry.

Addressing reporters at Parliament House, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan said his party had ‘serious reservations’ over the newly drafted bill. He said the country’s accountability system should be strong, and “nobody should be given an easy way out”.

Pointing to ‘loopholes’ in the bill, Nisar said the government had exempted civil services from the accountability system under the draft bill. “Our party has a very clear stance that there should be a strong and across-the-board accountability system ... there shouldn’t be exemptions,” he said, and called for a strong, bi-partisan system.

Standing committee member Justice (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Cheema told our sources that the draft bill would leave people involved in corruption unchecked. “There are serious loopholes in this bill… we oppose it strongly,” he said, and cited the example of clause 10 of the draft – which was “not in line with the basic concept of accountability”.

Clause 10 says, “Where any person accused of an offence under this act voluntarily returns to the commission the property, assets or gains, as determined by the commission, acquired through corruption or corrupt practices before filing of the reference, the chairman shall not file a reference and the case shall stand closed.”

NA committee undecided over new accountability bill
Daily Times May 14, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Law and Justice was adjourned on Thursday without reaching a consensus over a government-initiated bill to enact a new law of accountability in the country.

The committee met for the second consecutive day under the chairmanship of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry to discuss the Holders of Public Office (Accountability) Act, 2009.

Sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had strong reservations over some of the provisions of the draft bill and was pressing the government to revisit it.

Opposing: The sources said the PML-N was opposing clauses including voluntary return of assets gained through graft, punishment for corruption and no prosecution after a certain time period.

They said the PML-N members strongly objected to the exclusion of the bureaucracy from accountability, saying the politicians always indulged in corruption with the connivance of the bureaucracy.

They said the new accountability law should be applied across the board and politicians as well as bureaucrats should be held accountable for their wrongdoings.

The sources said the PML-N opposed Clause 24 of the draft bill, which stated that no holder of the public office should be prosecuted after three years of the person’s holding that office, for offences that the person was alleged to have committed during his tenure.

“The government is aware of the reservations shown by our party and is trying to develop a consensus on the law… the process will take some time and we have decided to meet again in the next few days,” one of the PML-N members said after attending the standing committee’s meeting.

One of the treasury members said the government was committed to repealing the 1999 National Accountability Ordinance by introducing a new accountability law with complete consensus.

The standing committee would meet again in a week or two to develop consensus on the bill before it is sent back to the NA for consideration.

PBA urges government not to dilute or repeal NAO through proposed law
Business Recorder May 11, 2009

KARACHI (May 11 2009): Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) has called upon the government not to dilute or repeal National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) through the proposed Accountability Law as it would adversely affect the existing framework for checking money laundering and also amount to a departure from the international commitment of Pakistan as a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

As per the invitation to all stakeholders, extended by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan, for improvement in the proposed Holders of Public Offices (Accountability) Act, 2009 Bill, the representative body of the banking industry - PBA - has pointed out that Pakistan is a signatory to the UNCAC; the Convention has also been ratified by the government and therefore the concepts, principles and provisions of the document have to be applied and implemented in the domestic legal and administrative frameworks in matters involving accountability and corruption prevention.

By ratifying the convention, the government of Pakistan has given a commitment to the States parties to apply and interpret the domestic law harmoniously with the provisions of the Convention and to improve existing domestic laws so as to bring the same in conformity with the consensus reflected in the Convention.

Our international commitment, says PBA, has the following salient aspects:

-- Government of Pakistan will endeavour to implement anti corruption measures both in public and private sectors;

-- There will be no exceptions or exclusions for any class or group from the mandate and scope of Accountability Law;

-- Prevention and awareness will be an integral part of accountability system;

-- Strict administrative and legal measures will be taken to check money laundering with proactive role of banks and financial institutions;

-- Professional bodies/associations will be assisted and encouraged to strengthen their accountability functions;

-- Meaningful international co-operation will be ensured in cases of corruption and fraud; and

-- Existing anti-corruption and accountability apparatus will be strengthened through legislative improvements, capacity building and enhanced resources.

PBA feels that the proposed accountability law bill reflects a significant departure from the UNCAC. In fact it amounts to halting the anti-corruption drive and practically ousting the accountability agenda from government priorities.

Further, says PBA, the proposed bill has a limited scope and therefore, would be highly inadequate to check corrupt practices, which are quite rampant. During the effective implementation phase of NAO, proper measures were taken by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to enquire, investigate, settle or prosecute corrupt practices.

There were nevertheless, says PBA, complaints of improper use of authority by some NAB officials which certainly needs to be confirmed. It may however, be mentioned that the banks, financial institutions and other bodies associated with financial or commercial activities referred cases of fraud, breach of trust and wilful loan default to NAB which were largely processed in an efficient manner resulting in recovery and settlements worth hundreds of billions.

The menace of imprudent lending substantially decreased due to adequate provisions in the NAO and a well defined mechanism to report and handle default cases under the supervision of State Bank of Pakistan. Cases involving fraud and other illegal acts concerning banks were finalised in a professional manner which hitherto was a distant cry.

Banks experience with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was never satisfactory and even disappointing in cases involving intricate issues. It would therefore be proper and desirable to further strengthen the financial crimes investigation expertise of NAB instead of dismantling the same, PBA added.

PBA said that the initiatives already taken to combat Money Laundering (ML) require proper enforcement mechanism, dilution of NAO or its repeal would frustrate all such measures and in addition to its adverse effects on the existing ML framework, Pakistan would also appear to have ignored its explicit obligations towards the international community. Mega scams in the form of Co-operative Societies Fraud, Illegal Housing Societies, sham forex companies, Double Shah Tactics resulted in colossal losses to the general public.

The volume, nature and complexities of such cases would have further aggravated the plight of innocent victims if action under the NAO had not been initiated. Recovery and compensation in this regard has helped in mitigating the difficulties of the public. It is unfortunate that no such mechanism is envisaged in the proposed Accountability bill. The ineffectiveness of Anti-Corruption Establishments (ACEs) and FIA in the past would again be a norm for such cases.

PBA emphasised that systemic corruption cannot be rooted out through traditional measures. Law has to evolve to counter the challenge through effective modern legislation in sync with legal development in other jurisdiction. NAO provides a mode of acquiring bank details of an accused, issues of secrecy cannot be used as an excuse to withhold vital information necessary for determining the truth, a similar provision is absent from the bill and reliance has been placed on the general law.

PBA reminded that the developing nature of the economy and the experience of breakdown of the financial institutions in the past coupled with public scams and pilferage of public funds necessitate the existence of a legal framework which ensures that public and private sectors operate in accordance with international best practices with accountability, transparency and integrity as their hallmark.

Finally, said PBA, it would be prudent and appropriate if the institution of NAB is retained, may be with a new name and style of Ehtisab Commission. Its effectiveness and impartiality is strengthened by making adequate improvements in the rules and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and weaknesses are cured to ensure across the board accountability. The state of recoveries and other settlements in cases including bank frauds, bank default and imprudent lending (Recovery till date: Rs 116.780 billion and Rescheduling/bank loans: Rs 67.47 billion).

We need to leap forward from these milestones through constructive measures and actions in the right direction, concluded PBA.

TI terms Holder of Public Office Act a continuation of NRO
Business Recorder April 30, 2009

The bill of Holder of Public Office (Accountability) Act-2009, which is supposed to repeal the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance-1999, is a vague bill, and is in fact a continuation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), according to Transparency International Pakistan (TIP).

TIP Chairman Syed Adil Gilani said on Wednesday that if this proposed law was made an Act of parliament, it will allow corruption to flourish and the corrupt to enjoy its benefits without fear of prosecution.

He said that the bill presented in the National Assembly was said to be in line with the demands agreed upon in the Charter of Democracy (CoD), but this was not the case.

“The CoD calls for the accountability of NAB and other ehtesab operators to identify and hold accountable the abuse of the NAB office by operators through perjury and perversion of justice and violation of human rights since its establishment. It calls to replace the politically-motivated NAB with an independent accountability commission, whose chairman shall be nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of opposition and confirmed by a joint parliamentary committee, with 50 percent members from treasury benches and remaining 50 percent from opposition parties in same manner as appointment of judges through transparent public hearing,” he added.

The TIP chief said: “It is now widely accepted that corruption is the ‘cancer’ which has deprived Pakistan of rule of law for the last 60 years and has weakened the very foundation of the nation. It has limited the economic growth, hampered investment, and reduced the effectiveness of development programs, while diverting the important and scarce public resources towards private gains. This has caused militancy amongst the deprived youth, which is now threatening the very existence of the state.”

Syed Adil Gilani said foreign aid did not reduce terrorism in Pakistan nor strengthened Pakistan’s economy, as the USA aid of US$ 11 billion from 2001 to 2007 was misused and pocketed by corrupt rulers, and there has been manifold rise in the terrorism and frequent incidents of suicide bombing, which never happened in Pakistan before 2002.

“TIP demands from the parliament to immediately form an independent accountability commission, as committed by the main political parties to the nation to stop the abuse of public office for private gain, and the new commission shall also include the local government’s elected members like Nazim, councillors, government officers, armed forces officers, judiciary and private sector,” he said.

Syed Adil Gilani said that the proposed bill also did not meet the commitment given to the United Nations by the Government of Pakistan in August 2007 under United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which might create doubts in the donor countries/agencies about the will of the political government to fight corruption.

“Pakistan at this point of time needs to demonstrate to the world at least its willingness for the good governance, and has to ensure existence of independent body to prevent corruption by such means as implementing preventive anti-corruption policies and practices and, where appropriate, overseeing and coordinating the implementation of those policies; and increasing and disseminating knowledge about the prevention of corruption.

“Pakistan is also committed to inform the Secretary General of the United Nations of the name and address of the authority that may assist other states’ parties in developing and implementing specific measures for the prevention of corruption. This function at present is the responsibility of the National Accountability Bureau.

“The proposed Accountability Commission instead of being independent body is to be under the Ministry of Law and Justice. TI Pakistan suggests that the new organization, which is to replace NAB, has to be an independent accountability commission, and shall function independently as required under UNCAC, and be accountable only to the parliament or judiciary,” he concluded.

TIP calls HOPO: act as National Reconciliation Act
Business Recorder April 28, 2009

KARACHI (April 28 2009): The bill of Holder of Public Office (Accountability) Act, 2009, to repeal NAB Ordinance 1999 is a vague bill, made only for the elected parliamentarians, excluding civil servants, local government members, and armed forces personnel, and is actually National Reconciliation Act, a continuation of NRO. The bill requires major modifications. It begins with wrong notion, as it defines the aim as to repeal the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 and to enact new law of Accountability. The aim is for establishing an Independent Accountability Commission to eradicate corruption, as has been promised by major political parties in their election manifesto of 2007. Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman Transparency International Pakistan said that this proposed law if made an Act of Parliament, would allow corruption to flourish and the corrupt to enjoy its benefits without fear of prosecution. He said that the bill presented in the National Assembly is stated to be according to a demand agreed in the COD, but, this is not the case. The Charter of Democracy calls for accountability of NAB and other Ehtesab operators to identify and hold accountable abuse of office by NAB operators through purge and perversion of justice and violation of human rights since its establishment, and calls "to replace politically motivated NAB with an Independent Accountability Commission, whose Chairman shall be nominated by the Prime Minister in consultation with the leader of opposition and confirmed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, with 50 percent members from treasury benches and remaining 50 percent from opposition parties in same manner as appointment of judges through transparent public hearing." It is now widely accepted that corruption is the 'cancer' which has deprived Pakistan of rule of Law since last 60 years, and has weakened the very foundation of the Nation. It has limited economic growth, hampered investment, and reduced the effectiveness of development programmes, and diverted public resources towards private gains. Poor became poorer, breakdown of democratic and administrative institutions. This has caused militancy amongst the deprived youth, which is now threatening the very existence of the state. Syed Adil Gilani said that foreign aid did not reduce terrorism in Pakistan nor strengthened Pakistan economy, as the US aid of US $11 billion from 2001 to 2007 was misused and pocketed by corrupt rulers, and there has been manifold rise in terrorism, and frequent incidents of suicide bombing, which never happened in Pakistan before 2002. TIP demands from the parliament to immediately form an Independent Accountability Commission, as promised by your parties to the nation to stop "the abuse of public office for private gain", and the new Commission shall also include Local Government elected members like Nazim, Councillors, Civil govt officers, Armed forces officers, judiciary, and private sector representatives. Chairman TIP said that the proposed bill also does not meet the commitment given to the United Nations by the Government of Pakistan in August 2007 under United Nation Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which may create doubts in the donor countries/agencies about the will of the political government to fight corruption. The proposed Accountability Commission instead of being independent body, is to be under the Ministry of law and Justice. TI Pakistan suggest that the new organisation, which is to replace NAB has to be an independent Accountability Commission, and shall function independently as required under UNCAC, and be accountable only to the Parliament or Judiciary.-PR

TIP calls HOPO: act as National Reconciliation Act
Dawn May 28, 2009

RAWALPINDI, April 27: The Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has described as vague Holder of Public Office (Accountability) Act, 2009, which will replace the NAB Ordinance of 1999. “The bill is made only for elected lawmakers, excluding civil servants, local government members, armed forces’ personnel and is actually the continuation of the National Reconciliation Act and requires major modifications,” Syed Adil Gilani, chairman of Transparency International Pakistan, said in a statement issued here on Monday. “It begins with a wrong notion as it declares that its aim is to repeal the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, and to enact a new law of accountability. The aim is to estab lish an Independent Accountability Commission to eradicate corruption as has been committed by major political parties such as PPP, PML-N and PML-Q in their election manifestos in 2007,” the statement said.It said that the proposed law, if made an act of parliament, would allow corruption to flourish and the corrupt would enjoy its benefits without fear of prosecution. He said the bill presented in the National Assembly was stated to be meeting a demand agreed in the COD, but this was not the case. “The Charter of Democracy calls for accountability of NAB and other Ehtesab operators to identify and hold accountable abuse of office by NAB operators through perjury and perversion of justice and violation of human rights since its establishment, and calls for replacing politically-motivated NAB with an independent accountability commission, whose chairman shall be nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the Leader of Opposition and confirmed by a joint parliamentary committee with 50 per cent members from treasury benches and the rest from opposition parties, in the same manner as appointment of judges through transparent public hearing. “It is now widely accepted that corruption is the cancer which has deprived Pakistan the rule of law for the last 60 years and has weakened the very foundation of the nation. It has limited the economic growth, hampered investment and reduced the effectiveness of development programmes, and diverted the important and scarce public resources towards private gains, dictatorial rule of military and civilian rulers who spread illiteracy with poor becoming poorer and breakdown of democratic and administrative institutions. This has caused militancy among the deprived youth, which is now threatening the very existence of the country,” the statement said. The statement said that foreign aid did not reduce acts of terrorism in the country nor strengthened the country’s economy, as the US aid of $11 billion from 2001 to 2007 was misused and pocketed by corrupt rulers. The TIP asked parliament to immediately form an independent accountability commission, as committed by all major political parties to stop the abuse of public office for private gains and the new commission should have powers to hold accountable local government’s elected members like nazims, councillors, government officers, armed forces’ officers, judiciary and the private sector. The TIP chairman said that the proposed bill did not meet the commitment given to the United Nations by the Government of Pakistan in August 2007 under UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which might create doubts in donor countries/agencies about the will of the political government to fight corruption. He said that Pakistan needed to demonstrate to the world its willingness for good governance and to ensure existence of an independent commission to fight corruption.