ISLAMABAD: Seven out of twenty advisors and special assistants to Prime Minister (SAPMs) had submitted their asset declarations till June 15, the last day of the two week deadline given by the Prime Minister for the declaration of their assets on May 21.
Those who declared their assets include Adviser on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Khan, Dr Moeed W Yusuf, SAPM on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning; Ali Nawaz Awan (MNA), SAPM on Capital Development Authority Affairs, sources maintained.
A prescribed declaration form has been issued by the Cabinet Secretariat for the 'public servant' and these non-elected advisers/special assistants are required to declare their assets with the Cabinet Secretariat. The prescribed declaration form covers all assets, moveable and immovable, held or acquired to be submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat.
The category of immovable assets includes agriculture and/or non-agriculture land, house, properties, commercial and industrial properties or open plots etc. The category of movable assets include cash in hand/bank, motor vehicles, jewellery, household items and equipment/business capital etc.
The Advisors are appointed under Article 93 of the Constitution and SAPMs appointed under Rule 4 (6) of the Rules of Business of 1973.
The asset declaration requires information regarding local and foreign assets owned by the advisors, SAPMs and their respective dependents.
The Constitution makes assets' declaration mandatory to act as a safeguard against corrupt practices by public servants/ public office holders.
The Advisors and SAPMs are enjoying perks and privileges equal to a federal minister and minister of state, and have been provided a furnished house in the Minister's Enclave. In addition they are entitled to perks and privileges including, cars, fuel, telephone, household staff etc. A few advisors have reportedly claimed that they are not drawing salary from the public exchequer and therefore not bound to declare their assets.
Parliamentary Secretary Cabinet Division Abdul Shakoor Shad and other officials declined to respond to question regarding the asset declarations of Advisors/SAPMs to this correspondent.
A farmer Cabinet Secretary on condition of anonymity said that advisors/SAPMs are working closely with the Prime Minister and in a position to influence the decisions of the Prime Minister. They are advising and assisting the Prime Minister on crucial, critical, complex and sensitive matters carrying element of great public importance which have direct impact on the lives and fate of millions of people living in Pakistan
After the sugar inquiry commission report was made public, Information Minister Shibli Faraz stated during a media briefing, "The PTI government is firmly committed to accountability and transparency in governance". SAPM on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar added that Prime Minister Imran Khan directed his five advisors and 15 SAPMs to declare their assets within two weeks to ensure transparency.
On May 22, Fawad Chaudhry reportedly told British Pakistani journalists: "SAPMs and Advisers should declare their assets and interests. Only elected representatives should be able to make a decision, not advisers and assistants. This is a legal requirement."
Some legal experts told Business Recorder that there is no clear law on the declaration and assets by non-elected Advisers/Special Assistants. However, if they are drawing salaries, the non-elected advisers/special assistants are covered under the definition of 'public servant'.
Cases related to appointment of advisors/SAPMS are pending with Supreme Court of Pakistan and Islamabad High Court. The joint petitioners Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Rawalpindi Bar Association argued in the case that Advisers/ SAPMS are public office holders who deal with matters of utmost public importance considerably affecting the public at large and therefore they must declare their assets.
Those Advisors who did not submit their assets' details are Adviser on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain, Adviser on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan.
The SAPMs who did not declare their assets are: Dr Sania Nishtar, SAPM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation with the status of Federal Minister; Mohammad Shehzad Arbab, SAPM on Establishment with the status of Federal Minister; Mirza Shahzad Akbar, SAMP on Accountability and Interior with the status of Minister of State; Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development with the status of Minister of State; Shahzad Syed Qasim, SAPM on Coordination of Marketing and Development of Mineral Resources with the status of Minister of State; Muhammad Usman Dar, SAPM on Youth Affairs; Nadeem Afzal Gondal, SAPM on Parliamentary Coordination; Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, SAPM on activities pertaining to Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Petroleum in the Balochistan; Dr Zafar Mirza, SAPM on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination with the status of Minister of State; Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa (Rtd), SAPM on Information & Broadcasting; in honorary capacity, Nadeem Babar, SAPM on Petroleum Division with the status of Minister of State; Ms Tania S Aidrus, SAPM on Digital Pakistan and Dr Shahbaz Gill, SAPM on Political Communication, in honorary capacity.