No exceptions

This letter refers to the news report ‘Government officers directed to submit their asset declarations’ (July 25, 2024). Have such directives ever been implemented? Moreover, this asset declaration should be compulsory for all government servants from Grade-1 to Grade-22. Many of the lower level employees are in possession of assets far beyond their means but since their salaries are lower than the income tax and asset declaration threshold, they can be owners of huge movable and immovable assets without requiring any declarations. It is suggested that anyone who gets paid from government resources should be liable to submit their declaration of assets within the shortest possible time. Failure to submit should be made a crime punishable by removal from service, not a few days suspension or withholding of promotions.

Ayub Malik

Rawalpindi