PESHAWAR  - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced to establish an independent Accountability Commission aimed at eradicating corruption in the province by tightening noose around the corrupt government officials.
“This Accountability Commission will not be like the National Accountability Bureau to follow the plea bargaining procedure or give any concession,” said Shah Farman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, while addressing a news conference here at Press Club on Tuesday.
He said the PTI central and provincial leadership had decided to give practical shape to party manifesto by eradicating the menace of rampant corruption and “Easy Load” like illegal trend in government departments.
The minister informed that initially a ten members committee consisting of five members each from government treasury and opposition benches will be established, which after consultation will constitute a seven members search and scrutiny committee consisting of civil society members and retired government servants having good track record. “After the constitution of the special committee, work of the members of provincial assembly will be ended,” he maintained.
“The special committee will choose a Chief Accountability Commissioner and five commissioners, whom will work beyond any political influence. The age limit for the Accountability Commissioners will be from 45 to 75, whom will enjoy full powers to take action against any government official or political worker for financial irregularities, embezzlements or unnecessary delay in developmental projects or funds, corruption in recruitments or any sort of irregularities,” Shah Farman said and added the arrested accused would be presented before the accountability courts.
“The accused will not be having any plea bargain opportunity,” the Minister said. The minister also said that certain corrupt government officials and political opponents spreading negative propaganda against PTI-led provincial government, want to disappoint masses but they should know that they will never be succeeded in their aim.
To a query about the establishment of an independent Accountability Commission, the minister said that need for the commission was felt, because the transfer and posting authority of the officials in anti-corruption and other accountability commissions were came under the chief minister jurisdiction and this commission will work beyond any political influence.