Assets of grade 17 to 22 officers, their families to be made public

ISLAMABAD: All government officers from Grades 17 to 22 and their families will not only be required to declare their assets but for the first time, the assets of government officers will be made public.

Even before this, government officials used to declare their assets every year, but under the rules, this is classified information and no one is given access to it. After the amendment, these assets will become accessible to the public.

Government sources said that the federal cabinet has approved the inclusion of a new Section 15(A) in the Civil Servants Act, 1973. According to sources, the federal cabinet has given permission to present the amendment bill in parliament for approval.

The proposed amendment will make the details of assets of government officials public. The Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) has already approved the draft in its meeting on February 7 in this regard. According to sources, this decision has been made to fulfil the IMF’s condition. The current practice is that assets are submitted through a form. After the amendment, this declaration will be carried out digitally. According to sources, once the digital filing system is introduced, it will be mandatory to disclose overseas properties and investments. Details of foreign bank accounts, properties and business investments will also have to be provided. According to sources, the amendment draft will soon be presented to parliament for approval. The amendment to the Civil Servants Act will be linked to the FBR’s tax return system. However, the tax details of officers will not be made accessible. Sources said that privacy and security of all individuals will be kept in view. The amendments also included recommendations from the FBR, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law.