Transparency International to monitor transparency in 3G Auction

Transparency International to monitor transparency in 3G Auction

In order to ensure transparency in the auction of 3 Generation Spectrum (3G) licences, Pakistan Telecommuni-cation Authority (PTA) and Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) here on Friday signed an integrity pact.

At the Ministry of Finance, PTA Chairman Farooq Awan and TIP Chairman Shoail Muzaffar signed the pact on behalf of their respective organisations. Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also attended the signing ceremony. Shaikh said that TIP would act as observer as far auction of 3G licences is concerned.
[blockquote cite=”Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh”] Transparency International (TIP) would act as observer in the auction of 3G to ensure transparency in the process.
[/blockquote] Replying to a question on how a body which came under strong criticism during the last cabinet meeting would ensure transparency, the minister said that selection of TIP to monitor 3G auction process was aimed at improving the image of the country as well as to ensure transparent auction.

He further said that the selection of TIP in this regard does not mean to curtail the role of other accountability institutions including National Accountability Bureau, Public Accounts Committee, Federal Investigation Agency and other parliamentary oversight committees. The government wanted to maximise the revenue by making the auction of 3G licenses transparent. staff report