Accountability is central part of good governance: Sherry Rehman

KARACHI : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Sherry Rehman has said that accountability is a central part of good governance. She was addressing a news conference at Bilawal House on Wednesday after her arrival here. The Minister was accorded a warm welcome t the Karachi airport.
PPP workers waving party flags chanted slogans of PPP Zindabad and ‘Zinda Hay Bibi Zinda Hay’.
To a question that the previous government had left an empty treasury and whether there will be any process of accountability in this regard, Ms. Sherry Rehman said, “We do not believe in political witch-hunt’.
She said that the PPP despite having been the victim of severe political victimization, has never believed in the politics of revenge. However, accountability is a central part of good governance and transparency must be maintained, the Minister said.
The Minister pointed out that whenever any public petitions or any representation reach public accounts or finance committees these will be taken up and that too in front of the media.
She said that the people have a right to know how the coffers were emptied and the opportunities of 9/11 were lost when billions of dollars came as a windfall but they were thrown away and to this day nobody has been told where that money went.
The Minister also said the public had the right to know details about how stock market was manipulated, what happened in the Steel Mills scam and a host of other corruption scandals.
Sherry Rehman stressed that the government will not be witch-hunting but if the public wishes to ask the questions either through the Truth and Accountability Commission or through parliament instruments such as Public Accounts Committee or Finance Committee etc then all such committees would be open to this kind of questioning both for the present and the previous government.
She said that privatization proceeds during the last government were used to finance non-development expenditures.
“We in PPP neither did so in the past nor we would be acting in such irresponsible manner this time,” she said.
The Minister said that the PPP is the only party which has its full representation in all the four provinces of the country as well as in Azad Kashmir.
She said that the PPP is a symbol of federation and recalled the sacrifices of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
Ms. Sherry Rehman also referred to the slogan of “charoon suboon ki zanjeer- Benazir Benazir’.
She said that the PPP members of the cabinet will reach Ghari Khuda Bux on Thursday and will offer Fateha and lay floral wreaths at the mazars of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The Minister said that the country was facing an economic crisis, shortage of atta and electricity as well as the problem of unemployment.
Such challenges were not faced by any government in the past, she said, adding that steps are being taken for the formation of a government of national reconciliation.
She said that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had steered the PPP out of the difficulties and now the Prime Minister of the party was leading the coalition government.
The Minister said the Prime Minister has asked the cabinet that the promises for the first 100 days that have been made in the National Assembly and with the people should be fulfilled.
She said that the cabinet would meet after every two weeks to review the targets and monitor the progress and the people would be kept informed.
The Minister said that this is the time of national reconciliation and the party was acting in line with this. “We would be exhibiting political maturity as all are watching the new democratic government.”
Sherry Rehman emphasized that all the energies would be utilized for strengthening democracy in the country with cooperation of all.
The Minister pointed out that a summary has been sent to the Law Ministry for the removal of the discriminatory PEMRA laws of November 3 last.
She said that access to information for the media as well as the people would also be ensured.
Sherry Rehman pointed out that there was a PPP freedom of information bill for transparency and accountability which she had thrice tried to move during the previous government.
She said that this bill will be revived in consultation with the civil society stake holders, Information Ministry and media.
The Minister was optimistic that revolutionary changes would be brought about regarding access to information.
She said that the people “are our strength and we are accountable to the people.”
Sherry Rehman said that those hostile to democracy had snatched “our 20 to 25 seats.”
“However, we will strengthen the democratic values and will take along all the democratic forces.”
She said that for the first time a government of national consensus has been formed which was very much needed because of the crisis confronting the country.
The Minister said that two committees are being formed by the cabinet, one regarding FCR and law and order in FATA areas and the other regarding the independence and restoration of judiciary.