ISLAMABAD: The government Friday announced to bring a new anti-

corruption law, aiming to wipe out corruption in the country as well

as materialising its resolve to net people involved in malpractices.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Farogh Nasim,

while addressing a press conference at his office, said that in order
to end corruption, a whistle blower law is being introduced in the
country. He said that Whistle Blower Protection and Vigilance Act
2018, a criminal law-related act, is being introduced in the country,
adding that the government seeks the cooperation of the people in
its anti-corruption drive.

“If work was not done on war-footing, the menace of corruption will
further increase,” Farogh Nasim said, adding that soon it will be
tabled in the parliament and the provincial governments should also
fully support it and pass it form the assemblies. Sharing major
points, the minister said any individual being the whistle blower can
share information with an independent commission against any
corrupt practices and his name will be kept secret besides the
person will get an award of 20 percent of the recovered amount. He,
however, said that there is a provision in the said law envisaging
that if a whistle blower wants to mention his name, then he/she will
have to give in writing in this regard.

Similarly, the minister said that if anyone was found disclosing the
name of the whistle blower, he will be proceeded against in
accordance to the provision laid down in the said Act. Likewise, if
any whistle blower was found giving wrong information on mala fide
intention, defaming anyone without any legal justification, he will
also be proceed against in accordance to procedure laid down in the
said law.
The minister said that although the law earlier enacted by the
government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also effective, in order to
further enhance and expedite the drive against the menace of
corruption, this new law is being introduced.

Farogh Nasim said that an independent commission will first

examine the information provided by the individual, probe it through
the relevant circles and after authenticating and verifying the
information, provided by the whistle blower, the commission will
become a complainant and will file a reference with the National
Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as
well as other investigation agencies to initiate trials of the accused
in their respective jurisdiction of courts. Referring to the composition
of the said independent commission, the minister said that it will be
headed by a chairman and comprising two other members to be
appointed either from the government or private sector, adding that
strength of the commission could be increased if needed later
keeping in view the workload.

The minister said the eligibility of the chairman of the commission

will be judged by qualification, reputation as well as length of
service, adding that the post will be filled on merit. In order to start
work on immediate basis, there is a possibility that an existing body
of the government could be assigned the task to commence its work
as a provision is given in the said law. To a question, Farogh Nasim
said the commission will be a centralised body having central power
with no provincial bodies.