The assets and liabilities declaration by parliamentarians under election commission of Pakistan: a comprehensive study

Abstract

Asset and liabilities declaration is considered an important anti-corruption procedure introduced to keep the democratic system transparent, just and equitable. Election Commission became an independent constitutional body in 2017 when election act 2017 was introduced and distributed for the first time the assets and liabilities declarations of elected Members of Parliament (MPAs) in 2019 by the name of “Gazette of Pakistan” and is available to general public in Election Commission of Pakistan office. But is the system of asset declaration thorough? Do this system prevent or even deter corrupt practices by government officials or public servants? Is this system mature enough in Pakistan to carry out its stated purpose? This study through qualitative research finds the answer to these questions by assessing the system and procedures of asset and liabilities declaration and formulating its effect on tax evasion and other corruption indices. Also some systems that are in place in other countries related to assets and liabilities declarations are studied and compared to that in Pakistan to find loopholes in our system and come up with recommendations to fill those loopholes.