Accountability challenges

#Accountability #challenges

Lahore: Accountability in Pakistan has seen mixed progress, some areas are being improved while others are left behind. Although there have been pockets of development, the challenge continues to ensure that accountability is applied equally in all groups and sectors of the country.

However, these improvements have been subjected to the fact that influential sectors and groups often survive accountability. In recent years, the government has tried to increase accountability through technology. Steps such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) track and trace system and electronic filing system aims to reduce human intervention in tax collection. Similarly, digital surveillance of public services, including e -governance measures in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reflects on more transparency.

The judiciary has also played a more active role in keeping public officials accountable for corruption and negligence. High -level cases related to politicians and government officials have brought corruption cases to the public.

Agencies like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have launched an investigation into major financial irregularities by targeting public sector plans and political corruption. Provincial accountability institutions, such as the Anti -Corruption Establishment (ACE), have become more active in recent years.

Social media has given citizens the authority to report further corruption and mismanagement, while investigating journalism continues to expose the error in both public and private sectors.

Despite these efforts, political parties often use accountability as a weapon against rivals rather than a justice device. In the judicial system, the detectives allow powerful politicians to delay matters for years, and often escape the punishment.

Despite public screams, cartelization remains in industries like sugar, cement and pharmaceuticals. The collusion between regulators and influential business owners often protects them from fines. With little supervision of judges’ behavior, judicial accountability is similarly weak. The accusations of prejudice, corruption and incompetence within the judiciary are rarely an important action.

Smuggling through unsafe borders – illegal movement of fuel, electronics, and luxury equipment – does not release fuel due to corruption in customs and border control. The informal economy flourishes without proper regulation or tax. It is difficult to regulate illegal land and make unauthorized residential societies, which often support influential people. Civilization has raised these issues, especially in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Banks often refrain from paying or legalizing due to major non -performance loans (NPL) wealthy people and businesses.

Challenges challenges of comprehensive accountability include electoral implementation, with measures that often target opposition groups, while protecting allies of those living in power. Lack of corruption and capacity in institutions like NAB and FBR is a hindrance to effective implementation. Napotism, patronage system, and protecting social principles protect more powerful people. Over time, public frustration with a lack of fair and permanent accountability has eliminated confidence in the system.

To move forward, Pakistan must adapt to the procedure for accountability with institutional sovereignty and intervention. Ensuring accountability applies equally in all sectors. Transparency can be increased through technology and digitalization, while empowering civil society and the media will strengthen this system. Finally, it is important to impose a hard penalty for corruption to prevent this widespread threat.