ECP's political finance wing

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has, through a notification, reactivated its political finance wing that was initially set up for three years to investigate the assets of political parties as well as elected representatives with the over-arching objective of eradicating corruption from politics. The wing failed to discharge its responsibilities partly due to Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan's failure - the ECP secretary who set up the unit - to appoint adequate staff to undertake this momentous task (he appointed only one individual for the purpose) and in addition, he unfortunately kept the terms of reference vague. The need to set up a such a wing that is enabled to undertake the task of investigating assets of political parties as well as individual representatives, has always been evident in Pakistan's context but in the post-Panama revelations it has become even more patently evident. But such a wing must be set up to ensure across the board accountability rather than face periodic accusations of favouring the ruling party over and above others.
What is ironic in this context is that both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have questioned the jurisdiction of the ECP to probe financial matters. This joint stance is almost reminiscent of the agreement of the PML-N and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) during the year-long discussions on amending the constitution that eventually led to the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment whose one clause allows extraordinary powers to the party leader with respect to dealing harshly with those members of parliament who did not toe the party line - an amendment that was sent to benefit the two leaders of the then two national parties notably the PML-N and the PPP.
Business Recorder fully supports reactivating the political finance wing; however, needless to add, there is likely to be allegations of partisanship if and when it takes a decision against any political party or public representative. As matters stand today, the PTI has repeatedly accused the ECP of supporting the ruling party and of not only being privy to but also actively engaging in electoral rigging. Instances where our government institutions are effortlessly convinced by the ruling party to take decisions in its favour are numerous; and one can only hope that in the interest of strengthening institutions non-partisan officials be appointed to the unit and empowered so that the political leaders and parties can actually be elected and subsequently take decisions without anyone or party subsequently challenging their right to do so.