| Security council on cards to deal with nat'l crises The law adviser yesterday said the government will form a National Security Council to make decisions on security matters "not only regarding law and order but also about other national crises like disasters and food security issues". The adviser, AF Hassan Ariff, during his weekly press briefing also said the government will form a 'truth and accountability commission' within a month.Talking about the proposed National Security Council, Hassan Ariff said the home ministry was asked to prepare a draft of the ordinance. He said the security council is now being discussed and its shape and jurisdiction have not been finalised yet. Headed by the president, the security council will have representatives from all stakeholder groups involved in state affairs including the prime minister, leader of the opposition in parliament and heads of three services.Once finalised, the security council will make recommendations to deal with any national security issues like law and order, disaster management, food security etc, he said.Replying to a query, the law adviser said the council will look to address management inadequacies in different sectors. Hassan Ariff said the government will form the truth and accountability commission within a month to enable corruption suspects confess their crimes to the commission and avoid trial by giving their ill-gotten assets to the state exchequer. "The commission can be termed Accountability Commission," the adviser told reporters while talking on the nature of the commission. Replying to a query, he said the law will have no scope for discrimination against anyone, adding, "If there is any loophole that may lead to such discriminations, it will be streamlined during vetting at the law ministry." Without giving details, he said the draft of an ordinance on the commission is being prepared examining the rules of similar commissions established in other countries. On March 9, a high-level government meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed approved in principle two proposals for establishment of the much-talked-about truth and accountability commission and the National Security Council. According to the proposal prepared by a three-member experts' committee, the commission will have three members headed by a former chief justice, sources said. No legal steps will be taken against people if they confess crimes to the commission and give the ill-gotten assets to the state treasury unless they get involved in further crimes, according to the proposal. The commission may fine such people or confiscate their assets, but the amount of the fine will not exceed the value of their properties, the sources said adding that the commission will have the power to summon any person. The March 9 meeting received a proposal of barring those people who would take advantage of the commission from standing in any elections. The meeting also suggested a number of changes in the draft. People already convicted by a court will have no scope of exemption from the penalty by confessing before the commission, sources said quoting the proposal. Asked if such commission would be an impediment to normal judicial system, the law adviser yesterday said, "There will be no such scope." The draft ordinances for the "Accountability Commission" and the National Security Council will be placed before the council of advisers for approval in principle. After that it will be sent to the law ministry for vetting and returned to the council of advisers for final approval. The president will then promulgate the ordinances, sources said. |
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