As many as 148 MPs, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and KPK Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, are yet to submit details of their assets and liabilities to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Though September 30 was the last date for the submission of details of assets and liabilities by MPs, however, 148 MPs have not submitted required details yet, taking advantage of 15 days relaxation period, which will expire on October 15.
Sources in the ECP said all MPs, including prime ministers and chief ministers and the Senate chairman were supposed to submit details of their and their family members’ assets with ECP before September 30, however, many of them did not bother to submit required details within prescribed period of time.
Talking to Pakistan Today, a senior officer of the ECP said: “Per my opinion, prime minister and chief ministers should have set an example by submitting the required details within the prescribed time limit… if they not do this, how will others follow suit? They should be the role models for other MPs,” he said.
He said that under the law, the ECP could take action against those who failed to submit required details by October 15. The ECP was authorised to cease function of such members until they submit assets details.
Representation of People Act says: “Every member shall, on a form prescribed under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 12, submit a statement of assets and liabilities of his own, his spouse and dependents annually to the commission by the thirtieth day of September each year. The statements of assets and liabilities submitted under sub-section shall be published in the official Gazette. The commissioner shall, by the fifteenth day of October each year, notify the names of the members who fail to file statements of assets and liabilities within the period specified in sub-section (1) and by an order, direct that such member shall cease to function till such statement is submitted.”
According to the ECP, they had so far received assets details of 1,031 lawmakers, while 148 MPs had not paid any heed towards this legal process.
ECP officials says PPP Senator Rehman Malik, PTI MNA Asad Umar, PkMAP Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Faisal Raza Abidi and Azam Khan Hoti were among those who were yet to submit their asset details.
If democracy and law has taken roots in Pakistan, than the ECP should suspend membership of all defaulters, irrespective of who they are. The PM should have set an example, instead of being one of those who has not submitted his asset declaration.
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