Pak Steel chairman dismissed on corruption charges

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Gilani asks PAC to start scrutiny of Prime Minister’s Secretariat’s accounts
* PAC should have suo motu powers similar to those of judiciary

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that the Pakistan Steel Mills chairman had been dismissed for corruption and ordered the Interior Ministry to investigate the matter and submit a report.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Gilani said he was prepared to face accountability himself, adding he would take steps to uproot corruption and extend maximum assistance to the auditor general of Pakistan. In this regard, he asked the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to start scrutinising the accounts of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Suo motu: Gilani said he and PAC Chairman Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had visited the office of the Pakistan Revenue auditor general after being apprised of media reports on corruption in government departments. “We want to strengthen the institutions because we believe in institutions,” he said. He said his government wanted to strengthen parliamentary oversight over government departments, adding he wanted a strong PAC with suo motu powers similar to those of the judiciary.

The premier said the national census had been delayed because of objections raised by the NWFP government and FATA due to the law and order situation in the region. He said it would be carried out when the atmosphere became more conducive. “No nation can progress without census. It is extremely important for resources and other statistics,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, responding to points of orders, said the premier had sacked the Steel Mills chairman on intelligence reports. “Corruption is part and parcel of the government departments globally; the important thing is how the governments tackle this issue. Our government is committed to a corruption-free Pakistan and is taking every step in this direction,” he said.

Strengthen: Malik said Gilani had given him clear instructions to strengthen parliamentary committees. He said he had directed all officers to give maximum help to the committees, especially in corruption cases.

Opposition parties welcomed Gilani’s initiative, with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid parliamentarian Faisal Saleh Hayat urging the government to debate the issue of corruption in the country in detail.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_5