"Unfortunately, in our country, in the absence of relevant laws, anybody can say anything against anybody and get away with it. Laws are weak and for defamation to be decided in the judicial process may take a lifetime for an individual. We should ask the TI Pakistan the basis of their allegations, in case they were able to convince the government, then the government would definitely take action against the culprits. However, mere allegations without any evidence will not be supported," Prime Minister stated.
According to reports, when the issue of corruption came under discussion in the federal cabinet meeting on December 12 this year, some of the cabinet members pointed out that the Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had stated that corruption of Rs7 billion daily was taking place in the country which was based on a TI Pakistan report.
It was pointed out by a member that at this rate, it implies that Rs2.4 trillion worth of corruption was taking place annually which "appears to be fictional". Some of the members felt that although these figures appeared incredulous, the matter needs to be taken seriously and there were calls for concerted action.
The documents also disclosed that the issue of corruption was discussed in detail.
Cabinet members also pointed out that the corruption index was based on a perception report and implicated not only the federal government but also provincial governments.
In terms of the government's response to these charges by Transparency International, some members observed that they should desist from having an "adversarial approach". The cabinet members argued that the government should be concerned and curious rather than being apologetic and defensive. "The issue needs to be addressed comprehensively," they maintained.
The documents quoted a cabinet member as saying that that a narrative based on facts be developed for sharing with the people to dispel the wrong perception about corruption in Pakistan.
Sources told this correspondent that the four-member committee constituted by the cabinet to analyse all aspects of this perception will be meeting this week to finalise its terms of reference and the list of invitees.
Analysts fear that the government may threaten TI Pakistan for issuing the report on corruption which has become a source of embarrassment for the government.