Law minister says Whistleblower Protection Bill will be adopted soon

Published October 26, 2018
Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem addresses press conference at his office. —APP
Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem addresses press conference at his office. —APP

Federal Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem on Friday said that a draft of the Whistleblower Protection Bill has been prepared which will be tabled before the parliament for approval to validate the establishment of Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission, Radio Pakistan reported.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad this evening, the law minister said the legislation will also include protections for whistleblowers.

Dr Naseem announced that any person who shares information about alleged corrupt practices will be given 20 per cent of the recovered amount as a reward.

Editorial: Whistleblowers bill

The law minister said that a commission will also be set up, comprising people of moral integrity from the public or private sector, which will assess the complaints and refer them to investigation agencies including National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and anti-corruption establishments. "The commission will have wide-ranging powers to check corruption," he added.

Dr Naseem said the draft law is part of government's drive to expose and root out the menace corruption from the society.

Replying to a question, the law minister said the commission will work impartially and on a non-partisan basis.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.