Senate amends Civil Service Act compelling govt officers to disclose assets publicly

ISLAMABAD: The Senate amended the Civil Service Act, compelling the government officers of grade 17 and above to make their assets public, was unanimously passed in the Senate on Thursday under the chairmanship of Yousaf Raza Gilani, according to media reports.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that politicians declare their assets, so government officials shall also provide the details of their assets.

Amnesty International, United Nations organizations said that this is happening all over the world, and that government officials have to declare their assets, the law minister said.

Things related to corruption should be transparent; the statements of department officers should be displayed on the website, the law minister added.

The bill states that officers of grade 17 and above will declare their assets, spouse, and dependent children. Officers of grade 17 and above will declare their foreign and domestic assets and liabilities.

The details will be filed digitally with the Federal Board of Revenue, which will be public. However, the disclosures will be made keeping in mind the balance between public interest and the privacy and security of the person. This amendment is under the Access to Information Act.

Purpose and Objectives of the Bill

The aim is to ensure the declaration of assets under the Right to Information Act. The domestic and foreign assets of high-ranking officials of grades 17 to 22 will be accessible to the public. The details of the assets will be filed digitally.

The bill states that personal information, identity card number, address, and bank account details will be protected. The Establishment Division will be given the necessary resources and framework for risk-based verification.