‘Panama Leaks’ crisis threat to democracy

LAHORE

Civil society members in a meeting have expressed their concern that Panama Leaks crisis is a threat to the democracy , democratic institutions and also to the constitution of Pakistan.

The meeting was called to discuss and express concerns over the current crisis created by Panama Leaks. This meeting was held at South Asia Partnership –Pakistan’s office, the National Secretariat of Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF). The meeting was well attended by various representatives of civil society organisations.

A joint press statement was issued that highlighted the stance of civil society saying, "We, the representatives of the civil society, including non-governmental organisations, labour organisations, academia, women’s rights bodies and media persons express deep concern over the current political situation in the country, where a crisis appears to be in the process of being manufactured in the wake of the Panama Leaks. This, we are afraid, has the potential of subverting democratically elected Parliament and the constitution." The forum supported the process of accountability of all citizens of the country, including that of elected representatives. The meeting also supported the demand that all public officials named in the Panama Papers, including the prime minister, present their income and tax statements and receipts before the Parliament.

However, PCSF opposed any attempt, like sit-ins, to settle this or any dispute outside the parliament. It said, "In our opinion, parliament is the appropriate forum to discuss and investigate this issue and come up with findings."

PCSF urged the Parliament to enact laws that make it mandatory for all citizens of Pakistan to declare all cash, property and other holdings abroad.

It said, "The role of political parties and political leaders was to represent their constituents’ interests, and reach agreements on differences through negotiations at agreed political forums. The role of the government is to frame economic policies in such a way that a large-scale of people are benefited from the development schemes, instead of providing benefit to only a selected group of people or a geographic area. Instead of relying on foreign assistance, the government should focus on tax reforms by bringing all types of income in tax net."

PCSF said the role of the judiciary was to protect the rights of the citizens from arbitrary abuse of executive power, and not to become a source of arbitrary executive power itself.  It said the role of the mass media is to help citizens promote their legitimate interests and hold the violators of rights accountable, and not to itself act as an unaccountable interest group. The forum appealed to the people of Pakistan to support honesty and integrity in politics, but also stand united and firm in support of democracy.