ISLAMABAD: An intending overseas Pakistani investor and software developer hailing from a Western country only a free press, independent judiciary and supremacy of parliament can ensure a transparent electronic government.

While chief Coordinator Pakistan 2010 Programme Ahsan Iqbal and some experts were optimistic about good governance, transparency, accountability and government efficiency through a system of electronic government, the leading software developer said that the speeches would yield nothing but prove to be a sitting, chatting and eating session.

Talking to The News at tea break during the Information Technology Summit held here he said: “How can you expect an electronic and good governance in Pakistan when the government is so intolerant that it cannot even afford a globally

recognized Pakistani journalists present her analysis on the situation in the country. Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the editor of The News has been invisibly banned to write with her own byline. Such actions cause us embarrassment abroad”.

The overseas Pakistani, who did not disclose his name, said: “How can you think of an electronically efficient and transparent government when the powers and role of parliament, judiciary and press have been curtailed, thus giving all powers to only ‘Five big’?” A senior bureaucrat interrupted him saying, “you should listen to others instead of being a pessimist”.

Source: The News

Date:8/17/1999