ISLAMABAD: While the Panama Papers leaks have initiated debate on un-declared assets by country’s leading politicians, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has failed to publish the details of even declared assets of parliamentarians, a key requirement under the law.
The publication of assets statement by ECP is vital as those found involved in hiding assets can be disqualified under the law. However, seven months have passed since the deadline for the submission of the asset details but ECP has yet to make it public.
When contacted, an ECP spokesman said he was unaware of the reason behind the delay in the publication of the statements of assets. He said the documents have been sent to Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) for printing and it is hoped that ECP would get back the printed documents within two weeks.
“I have called the official of the Printing Corporation a few days ago to know the status of the documents and he has stated that the process will be completed within two week,” the spokesman said.
Under the Representation of People Act 1976 section 42(A) and Senate Election Act 25 (A) it is mandatory for members of parliamentarians to declare assets held by them, their spouses and their dependants. The statement of assets has to be submitted with the ECP by September 13 each year.
“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” says the law.
The laws also further states that the statements of assets and liabilities submitted with ECP “shall be published in the official Gazette and copies thereof may be obtained on payment of prescribed fee.”
The commission can stop members who fail to submit the asset details by October 15. “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,” the Act says.
Under the same clause, ECP is bound to publish these statements in the official Gazette. “The statements of assets and liabilities submitted under sub-section (1) shall be published in the official Gazette and copies thereof may be obtained on payment of prescribed fee.”
The law states that a member found involved in submitting false asset statements could be proceeded against under section 82 for committing the offence of corrupt practice. During last two years ECP had been publishing the details of assets on its website for the public review. However sources said this year the practice will be discontinued as parliamentarians are unwilling to undergo public scrutiny.
“Under the law publication of assets on the website is not necessary and some members have objected to this practice so the ECP may not publish it online this year” said a source in ECP said.
He said the real spirit of online publication was to ensure complete transparency and enable public to review their member’s assets and point out any possible miss-declaration by their representatives. Normally the document is made public in first month of the year but this year the delay is unprecedented.
"We are about to call for submission of asset details for the next year in just three months time and it is astonishing to see the details of last year are yet to be published," the official added.