ISLAMABAD
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that fighting corruption is essential for achieving the sustainable development goals.
Addressing the 7th international seminar of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission on “Combating Corruption – A Pre-Requisite for the full realisation of All Human Rights and Sustainable Development” on Thursday, the foreign minister urged the OIC countries to actively explore innovative ideas and initiatives to strengthen the existing international framework to prevent corruption and to end impunity.
He proposed the establishment of a protocol and implementation mechanism for mutual legal assistance within the OIC on issues of corruption and stolen assets. He said Pakistan’s Citizen Portal app has received international recognition for an effective use of technology for enhancing public delivery. Due to our sustained efforts, visible positive socio-economic changes are taking place in the country, he added.
He stressed for the development of a coherent, transparent and inclusive mechanism under the UN auspices for strengthening the international legal framework on monitoring illicit financial flows and return of stolen assets. He also called for establishment of a global beneficial ownership registry besides reviewing and revising unequal investment treaties procured through corruption.
The foreign minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan, whilst deriving guidance from Islamic teachings, has given a vision of corruption free Pakistan. He said Pakistan has taken measures to build and strengthen robust systems for accountability, transparency and integrity.
“We are trying to pursue a proactive three-pronged approach to combating corruption, including awareness raising, prevention, and enforcement. We have supplemented existing legislation to induce transparency and openness in the public sector including through facilitating citizens’ right to information,” he maintained. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, in her video message on the occasion, stressed that combating corruption contributes to the full realization of human rights and is also vital to recovering from COVID-19 pandemic. She said the UN has produced complete guidance for states and others to prevent corruption in the manufacturing, allocation and distribution of anti-Covid vaccines.
She said the need for a comprehensive action to stem corruption was also emphasized earlier this year when the UN General Assembly held its first even session on corruption.
OIC’s Assistant Secretary General Askar Mussinov, urged the OIC member countries to devise their national anti-corruption plans. He said it is important to reinforce the capacity of human rights institutions, media and civil society to play an active role in anti-corruption efforts.
He said the number of OIC countries including Pakistan have made fighting corruption as their top priority and also took corresponding actions such as establishment of relevant agencies to combat this menace in an apolitical and independent manner.
The Chairperson of OIC Human Rights Commission, Haci Ali in his remarks commended Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance regarding countering illicit financial flows from the developing countries.
He emphasised strengthening institutional capacities and integrating the role of technology to combat corruption and promote transparency and accountability.
NA session on mini-budget to be convened on Monday
TLTP
ISLAMABAD
Advisor to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Babar Awan said that National Assembly will meet on Monday (January 10) for the approval of the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021.
Talking to the media persons on Thursday, Awan said that a summary has been sent to convene the NA session on January 10 at 4:00pm.
He said that proposals of the Senate on the bill will also be tabled during the session. “For the betterment of the nation and the common man, the government will not allow the process of legislation to be stopped,” Awan said, adding that laws cannot be passed through chanting slogans. The advisor added that the government will not stop the process of legislation due to the commotion made by the opposition. “The door is open for negotiations on legislation,” said Awan.
Earlier on Tuesday, the treasury benches struggled to continue the Senate session amid strong noisy protests and frequent walkouts by the opposition lawmakers, forcing the chair to postpone the proceedings until Friday amid lack of quorum.
During the sitting, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin tabled the Finance Amendment Bill, which was referred to the relevant standing committee. The chair directed the committee to present its report to the house within three days.
Earlier on Thursday last, Tarin introduced the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 or the “mini-budget” in the National Assembly amid vociferous protest by the opposition lawmakers. Its approval is necessary to ensure that the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) executive board clears the country’s sixth review of the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility on January 12 for the disbursement of about $1 billion tranche.
