* Interior minister says govt will compile its own report on corruption
By Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: Casting doubts on the integrity of the Transparency International (TI), Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday said that its corruption report regarding Pakistan was vague and fictitious.
Talking on a point of order in Senate, Malik claimed the Transparency International report could not be trusted, as it has not used the desired and set international tools for the survey.
The interior minister stressed that the government stands for transparency in all fields and sectors. In its recent report, the corruption watchdog had claimed that corruption in the country had increased as compared to last year. Malik told lawmakers that the government will conduct a survey of its own about corruption and its report will be presented to lawmakers.
He also raised doubts about the integrity of people at the helm of affairs at Transparency International, saying these people could be working on a vested agenda to malign Pakistan.
Responding to a question about the Lyari operation in Karachi, the minister said it is being carried out against criminal gangs, who are involved in heinous crime.
Regarding police baton-charge on teachers and lady health workers in front of the Parliament House on Thursday, the minister said a committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
He said the government believes that everyone has the right to stage protests but the protesters should not take the law into their own hands. There are some elements who want to disturb law and order in the capital, he added.
During the session, the members of the Senate also strongly criticised the Religious Ministry for increasing haj fares. Religious Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi told the senators that his ministry was taking all out measures to facilitate the pilgrims.
He said that increase in fares was the result of the devaluation of Pakistani currency. However, he said the government had tried to put the minimum burden on the pilgrims.
He said Pakistan International Airline (PIA) had proposed upto Rs 13,000 increase in fares, however, on the directives of president and prime minister it was only increased by Rs. 6,000. Kazmi stated that the haj package being given by the Pakistani government to its citizens is comparatively far better than many other countries.
He said that earlier, the haj pilgrims were being given 650 Riyals on their arrival in Saudi Arabia, but the amount has been increased to 900 Riyals.
However, the senators were not satisfied with the explanation and said that the matter should be further discussed. Senators Ghulam Ali and Kalsoom Parveen said that pilgrims who faced problems during haj were not helped by any ministry officials deputed in Saudi Arabia.
They said that the performance of the Religious Ministry was not up to the mark and it should be reviewed.
Taking notice of the issue, Senate Chairman Farooq H Naik referred the matter to Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and asked it to examine the haj policy and present its report within seven days.
The upper house also passed a bill to further amend the Pakistan Penal Code during the session as well.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
By Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: Casting doubts on the integrity of the Transparency International (TI), Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday said that its corruption report regarding Pakistan was vague and fictitious.
Talking on a point of order in Senate, Malik claimed the Transparency International report could not be trusted, as it has not used the desired and set international tools for the survey.
The interior minister stressed that the government stands for transparency in all fields and sectors. In its recent report, the corruption watchdog had claimed that corruption in the country had increased as compared to last year. Malik told lawmakers that the government will conduct a survey of its own about corruption and its report will be presented to lawmakers.
He also raised doubts about the integrity of people at the helm of affairs at Transparency International, saying these people could be working on a vested agenda to malign Pakistan.
Responding to a question about the Lyari operation in Karachi, the minister said it is being carried out against criminal gangs, who are involved in heinous crime.
Regarding police baton-charge on teachers and lady health workers in front of the Parliament House on Thursday, the minister said a committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
He said the government believes that everyone has the right to stage protests but the protesters should not take the law into their own hands. There are some elements who want to disturb law and order in the capital, he added.
During the session, the members of the Senate also strongly criticised the Religious Ministry for increasing haj fares. Religious Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi told the senators that his ministry was taking all out measures to facilitate the pilgrims.
He said that increase in fares was the result of the devaluation of Pakistani currency. However, he said the government had tried to put the minimum burden on the pilgrims.
He said Pakistan International Airline (PIA) had proposed upto Rs 13,000 increase in fares, however, on the directives of president and prime minister it was only increased by Rs. 6,000. Kazmi stated that the haj package being given by the Pakistani government to its citizens is comparatively far better than many other countries.
He said that earlier, the haj pilgrims were being given 650 Riyals on their arrival in Saudi Arabia, but the amount has been increased to 900 Riyals.
However, the senators were not satisfied with the explanation and said that the matter should be further discussed. Senators Ghulam Ali and Kalsoom Parveen said that pilgrims who faced problems during haj were not helped by any ministry officials deputed in Saudi Arabia.
They said that the performance of the Religious Ministry was not up to the mark and it should be reviewed.
Taking notice of the issue, Senate Chairman Farooq H Naik referred the matter to Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and asked it to examine the haj policy and present its report within seven days.
The upper house also passed a bill to further amend the Pakistan Penal Code during the session as well.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
