The New Nation - Internet Edition

The go ahead given in principle from a high-level meeting to a proposal for forming the much talked about Truth and Accountability Commission, and instructions passed to make a draft law for presentation before the Council of Advisers within a month has come as a heartening news.

The proposal, mooted more than six months ago, from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs was intended to give relief primarily to members of the business community who had no option but to resort to corrupt practices to do business but have been too badly affected by the drive against corruption.

When the proposed Truth Commission would be established people would get an opportunity to confess their corruption for monetary and other gains to escape further legal proceedings. Their illgotten money and properties will be confiscated. One prime objective is also to help fully restore economic activities.

Barrister Mainul Hosein as Adviser had than said, while favouring the idea of plea bargain, "It is necessary to overcome the economic crisis through reconciliation with businessmen."

It was subsequently stated that politicians and businesmen charged with corruption or are in the list of allegedly corrupt persons would also be able to take advantage of the proposed law to escape imprisonment.

The government has sought opinion of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the proposal for formation of the Truth and Accountability Commission. "The ACC will scrutinise the legal aspects of the proposal and put forward its recommendation to the government in the light of the ACC Act, 2004," the ACC secretary has been quoted as saying.

According to news reports, The Truth and Accountability Commission would be a three-member institution headed by a former chief justice who retired before the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that had increased the retirement age of Supreme Court judges. Two other members of the commission will be nominated from among the secretaries and retired officials of the armed forces, the proposal mentioned.

No legal steps will be taken against people if they confess crimes and surrender the ill-gotten assets to the government. If afterwards it is found that whole truth was not stated then they will not be saved from new corruption cases.

The commission will give relief primarily to businessmen. The politicians will find it difficult to make a public confession admitting their own corruption unless they want to give up politics. Yet some may decide to do so. But it is welcomed by businessmen to revive their business activities availing this opportunity.