KARACHI: Former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf has said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cannot be diluted.

“Institutions take time to mature and creation of a new institution in its (....NAB’s) place is not a way to solve continuing problems. However, changes can be made in the way it functions,” the former president said during the inauguration ceremony of a civil society forum, Pakistan First Initiative (PFI) here on Saturday.

Appointed ‘democratically’ as the patron of the initiative, he spoke about the growing vacuum for a platform to discuss and debate “burning national issues.”

Held at a hotel in Karachi, the ceremony was attended by former economists, diplomats and ambassadors who are also part of the PFI council and were representing the Council of Professionals (COP) which Musharraf was addressing.

Mr Musharraf was the only one who spoke at the event as he laid down the features and functions of the initiative with the media. There are critical issues that are not discussed on the national or social media, he said, and it is to fill that need that he and other like-minded people thought of forming a think tank to bring them to the table. “We aim to study, analyse and debate issues which directly affect governance and welfare of the people,” he said. However, he added that: “We are not a rich organisation and will be dependent on public funding. Also, it is not a money-oriented initiative.”

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....