ISLAMABAD: The incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), promising to bring radical changes in the country after winning the last general elections, have been successful in ensuring good governance and take effective action against those involved in corrupt practices during the last three years.
The PTI led government has succeeded to strengthen public sectors after making them apolitical and giving them free hand to fight corruption or bad governance. Various departments like Police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have been de-politicized and these departments showed impressive performance.
In its manifesto, PTI promised to stand for an effective government with merit and responsiveness as the guiding principles. PTI believes that an ineffective state structure has generated a crisis of governance that has effectively marginalised everyone in the country except a small elite. After coming into power, PTI started efforts to end corruption and decaying system to build a new on the foundations of justice and equity.
The legacy of misrule and misery by a corrupt inept elite was relegated to the dustbin of history and Prime Minister Imran Khan as well his team introduced a range of corruption-busting measures to build a more effective and capable state that can change the lives of people for the better.
The supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law are enshrined in Constitution and these are only ways to end corruption in Pakistan. Following these principles guaranteed in the Constitution, the government also declared fight against corruption as top priority and is receiving attention at the highest level. Undoubtedly, Imran Khan is known for his crusade against corruption and he is working hard to eliminate this menace.
Analysts belonging to various think tanks were contacted by reporter to talk about the efforts of the government in tackling the challenges to end corruption, ensure good governance and transparency in public institutions. Most of them were of the view that the government has launched serious efforts to end corrupt practices by understanding the fact that corruption is not only bad for the reputation of the country but also damaging to the growth of the economy, job creation and the country’s overall development. The incumbent government is determined to root out corruption in all forms and is using every opportunity to do so.
Highlighting the various achievement, one the analyst Arbab Abbassi said that PTI government established Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) to retrieve money or hide assets overseas. This department is composed of bank officials and representatives of all government intelligence agencies and aims to target high-level corruption at an early stage. A law to promote and reward whistle blowers was introduced inviting compatriots to identify corrupt persons, and whistle blower will recover 20% of the stolen money and assets from these people .The Pakistani government also asked foreign governments for assistance in recovering the proceeds of corruption. In response to public complaints, he said two ministers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also dismissed.
A law graduate in banking and financial services Ehsan Haider said that PTI introduced governance and transparency reforms in the areas of taxation and public management including civil services, government procurements and decentralization. It introduced a culture of accountability in the delivery of public services by setting metrics for performance, he maintained.
Moreover, the performance of anti-corruption watchdog (NAB) also remained effective and it recovered Rs. 535 billion from corrupt elements between Oct 2017 and June, 2021 which is a record achievement as compared to other years. It shows a commitment and dedication of NAB officers towards performance of their national responsibilities in eradication of corruption from the country.
Democratic governance is also the focus area of the incumbent government and legislations were ensured for improvement in life of people. A total of 145 government bills and 58 Ordinances were presented in the National Assembly mainly related to welfare of people of which 92 were passed while remaining are in different stages.
“While we are making good progress, we understand that more needs to be done to overcome this scourge of corruption” an analyst said adding that we need good men and women to assist us by taking a stand and not turning a blind eye.
We all must work together to root out corruption as the survival of our nation and values of democracy and freedom depend on it, he added.
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