ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The National Anti Corruption Strategy Report (NACSR)-2003 has reflected weak electoral system, lack of political will, interference by legislators in executive functions, low parliamentary integrity, complicated and non- transparent taxes, lack of impartiality of public accounts committee and, failure of legal and judicial framework to deliver justice.
The report which was prepared by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) termed all the above-mentioned factors “main causes of corruption”.
The report also proposed an implementation plan to control corrupt practices in all private and public departments.
LEGAL SYSTEM AND JUDICIARY: According to the report legal and judicial framework had failed to deliver justice with low motivation of lower judiciary and lack of transparency in appointments.
The report also highlighted the lack of effective accountability, lack of judicial independence, delay in the provision of justice, non-transparency in subordinate legislation, non-transparent judicial process to the litigants and confusing, contradictory, overlapping, redundant and inaccessible laws in the judicial system.
It proposed the establishment of a centre of excellence for legal training, higher education, and comparative study of law.
The report recommended that international law firms and lawyers should be allowed to set up offices and practice law in Pakistan.
It proposed the prevention of interference by political parties and vested interests in the legal profession by making a code of conduct and ensuring its implementation.
The NACSR recommended a ban on lateral entry in lower judiciary and fixation of ratio for elevation to higher courts from lower courts.
For effective accountability in the judiciary the report proposed that supreme court should have suo moto jurisdiction over the higher judiciary.
In order to ensure judicial independence the report suggested ending of prolonged ad hoc appointments and implementation of high court specific plan to professionalize its management.
LEGISLATURE AND POLITICAL SYSTEM: The report mentioned weak electoral system and process in the country with low parliamentary integrity.
It said legislators in the past were involved in interfering in executive functions, and standing committees in the parliament remained ineffective.
For better legislative and political system, the report proposed that president, prime minister, chief ministers, ministers, parliamentarians, party leaders and key political figures should make assets declaration public.
It suggested that the parliamentary proceedings be broadcast live; media should encourage debate on corruption issues.
EXECUTIVE: ROLE OF FUNCTION OF STATE: The NACSR criticized complicated and non-transparent taxes and crisis of leadership in functions of the state.
It proposed privatization of all public enterprises under the integrity pacts, reduction of a number of taxes to reduce opportunities of intrusion, reduce discretion and simplify procedure.
PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT: In this sector, the report highlighted many flaws that caused an increase in corruption including low salaries of government employees, lack of job security, limited meritocracy in transfer, postings and promotions, centralization of power and authority, weak internal controls, low chance of corruption detection, weak implementation of disciplinary procedures, discretionary powers, secretive and dis-empowering government, etc.
To manage flaws in the public-sector management, the report proposed expedition of the implementation of civil services reforms proposed by the NRB, recruitment to senior posts to wide range of candidates on meritocratic and transparent basis.
It proposed an increase in the pay structure to living wage standard and rationalization of discretionary powers.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: The report mentioned weak accountability of executive to the local population and delay in convening public participation and monitoring mechanism.
DEVELOPMENT, PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING: The report pointed out failures in the mechanism to ensure sound use of development funds, weak expertise in development projects with frequent changes in management, absence of standardized procurement regime and outdated and non-transparent rules and procedure of procurement.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: The NACSR highlighted inadequate public participation in the budgeting process, poor internal financial control, outdated financial rules, lack of independence and accountability in auditor-general department in financial management.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY BODIES: The report disclosed that public accounts committee (PAC) lacks impartiality and effectiveness, non-transparent proceedings of the PAC and inadequate links between public accountability bodies.
ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES AND LEGAL ENFORCEMENT: The report mentioned multiple laws with inconsistent provisions in anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies. It recommended that National Accountability Bureau should have its own cadre of investigation.
The report emphasized the need for Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) to recover assets, evidences and the accused from abroad.
MEDIA: The report said media felt the lack of freedom and framework of integrity reporting, lack of quality, authenticity, depth and access to information. It said the government was not making effective use of media to transmit anti-corruption massages.
It recommended that the government should not commit the use of advertisements and newsprint to control the media.