Rizwan Ghani
IN his 30 June parliamentary address, PM reminded the country about the importance of merit but unfortunately it is blatantly being violated in his own cabinet in terms of his Special Assistants (SAs) and advisors. What is the expertise and experience of PM’s non-elected SAs and advisors to become members of the cabinet? PM is guilty of violating merit rules in this case because there are hundreds of people in Pakistan with better proven expertise and experience than his SA and advisors. They do not merit to be in the cabinet in the first place so they should all be removed immediately. On 2 July 2020, UK’s former PM May criticized nomination of country national security advisor in the parliament. She said that government says that we must be able to promote those with proven expertise. Then why appoint a national security advisor with no proven expertise. Imran was quick to quote foreign media on lockdown but unwilling to share details of his SAs and advisors. It is public’s democratic right to know full details about these unelected people attending cabinet meetings and giving input in decision making because they are being paid with their tax money.
Some of them are dual nationals but despite public pressure PM is not ready to share their details. One SA came on TV and said that dual nationals can be member of the cabinet and the PM has to power to call anyone for consultation on weekly basis even George Bush. Another said that dual nationals are allowed in the cabinet. It is PM’ position because he kept silent. PM should give the law under which he can dual nationals in the cabinet. Otherwise, his action is violation of merit, proven expertise and rules. Even if PM’s SAs on-occurrence statement is accepted then PM should explain under which laws these daily adhoc consultants have been given all the perks reserved for regular cabinet members including permanent accommodation, monthly salaries, staff, offices, fleet of vehicles and all allied expenses. PM blamed lack of oversight in the parliament to control corruption. Hopefully, concerned parliamentary committees and Public Accounts Committee will be held accountable for failing to do their job as oversight bodies along with the PM, his SA and advisors.
In terms of asset declaration of PM’s SA and advisors, they have tried to give the impression on the media that asset declaration and tax returns have been submitted and it is a closed matter now. It is misinformation because the concerned authorities have not given the statement and they have not published their details as per the media claims by SAs and advisors. There is no clarity about their Form-B Assets and Liabilities along with the affidavit. How they can give the affidavit as dual nationals as they cannot swear allegiance two constitutions simultaneously. Tax details of SAs and advisors are also not clear. Our concerned authorities should collect their tax returns of Pakistan and copies of tax returns from their other country/countries citizenship. The comparison of two tax returns and asset details is critical to determine the honesty or corruption of the individual as it is difficult to manipulate tax returns, property details and asset in western countries. This transparency is requirement of parliamentary system of democracy. PM should tell the public how he expects his SAs and advisors to uphold public interest concrete checks.
Asset declaration is not just a wishful dream of someone. It is part of international efforts to fight corruption (UN, OECD).The continuation of SAs and advisors despite serious observations in the media shows failure of Parliamentary committees, PAC and other political checks to control PM. In this case the Attorney General is protecting government as its chief law officer and legal advisor. The law minister is missing. Therefore all eyes are on judiciary to bring end to such gross violations of law under the system of checks and balances. If PM fails to uphold merit and resolve the issue of SAs and advisors then he should face the law to give public message that no one is above the law. Former French PM Francois Fillon and his British wife were sentenced to jail on Monday June 29, 200 for embezzling public funds. South Korea has given jail term to President Park for corruption. It is about time office holders in Pakistan are also brought to book. Finally, PM should share with public merit on which he selected these SAs and advisors on which local experts failed. Who will be held responsible for fallout of their failed policies including destruction of economy, negative growth rate and resultant loss of millions of jobs? The details of national and international assets and tax returns of SAs and advisors should be published for accountability, transparency and future record. Tax money spent on SAs and advisors should be recovered for using it without entitlement. It will send a message that no one is above law including PM and merit should be respected starting with PM office not just statements in Parliament.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
