- PM approves Draft Whistle Blowers Bill to help ensure intra-institutional transparency, promote culture of integrity and accountability
In a bid to introduce intra-institutional transparency, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday accorded formal approval to a summary on Draft Whistle Blower Bill.
A source in the Law Ministry told Pakistan Today that the ministry, on special directive of Law Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid, had finalised the draft bill which was later sent to the prime minister for approval.
“Now, the bill will be placed before Federal Cabinet. After a nod by the cabinet, the bill would be placed before both houses of the Parliament. After Parliament’s approval, the bill would be signed by the president into law,” the source said.
Under the Whistle Blower Act, it will be ensured that public interest disclosures are properly assessed, investigated and acted upon. It will promote culture of transparency, integrity and accountability. It will also help in preventing abuse and misuse of available protections for personal advantage or vendettas against the employer.
Pakistan is lagging far behind the other neighbouring states with regard to the Whistle Blower’s Act.
Under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), legislation on whistle blowing is an obligation on Pakistan.
The whistle blowing is an early warning system in controlling corruption at the prevention stage by taking timely action. It also encourages honesty and dedication.
In South Asia, India and Bangladesh have already passed such bills. Transparency International (Germany) in its annual report has asked other South Asian countries to enact respective legislation.
The proposed Whistle Blowing Bill will help people who are courageous and prepared to lift the lid from corrupt practices in the country. Under the bill, such people would be protected, who raise their voices against corruption, nepotism and malpractices within their own institutions.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has worked in liaison with Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights so that the Whistle Blower Protection Law may be promulgated in Pakistan at the earliest.
For the implementation of Whistle Blower Protection, legislation may be supported by awareness-raising, communication, training and periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the framework of protection.
