APROPOS the news report ‘Expenses of major political parties exceeded income in 2019: ECP’ (Feb 24).

Pakistan has been struggling for a long time to stop funds generated through acts of terrorism from becoming part of the formal economy. Our government at all levels — federal, provincial, and local — must also upgrade its own financial accountability.

Our political parties must act in terms of acquiring funds and spending the money in accordance with the Financial Action Task Force guidelines. There is no guideline for them at present on this topic.

One also hopes that our politicians and political parties also understand how important it is to account for political activities in financial terms.

The financials properly prepared must reflect the truth to the extent possible.

Conforming to anti-terrorist guidelines and financial accountability of public funds by the government and political parties will strengthen our governance system.

Altaf Noor Ali
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2020