Success Stories

were also born there. Moreover, his wife and two of his children had CNICs proving he was their husband/father but despite all efforts, he was not able to get his own CNIC.

Khalid said that he was an educated, law abiding citizen with a good reputation in his community. But when he applied to renew his CNIC in May 2005 (with the same particulars as his previous NIC), he was informed by NADRA personnel that someone else had already been issued a CNIC with exactly the same particulars except the photograph. Khalid made a complaint against it, after which NADRA blocked the photo-less CNIC, but didn’t issue him a new one. He made repeated attempts to obtain the computerized card but NADRA staff seemed unwilling to do much about the situation. Khalid provided them with all the documents and fulfilled all the formalities – such as verifications, personal inquiry and the Nazim’s (or mayor) certificate – but to no avail. During this time, a concerned department of the registration authority issued a letter in April 2007 with the Manager’s (Tech.) signature stating that while they believed Khalid to be genuine, they couldn’t issue his CNIC. On 16th May 2009, Khalid gave a legal notice to NADRA’s Chairman and Director General (through his lawyer - a High Court advocate) giving them 20 days to issue his CNIC. He again provided the required documentary proof, but NADRA again failed to provide him with a CNIC within the stipulated time. Finally, he came to know of ALAC and requested them to formally help him obtain his CNIC from NADRA. ALAC scrutinized his documents and with the consultation of its lawyers, wrote a letter to NADRA’s Chairman on 14th November 2009. In this letter, ALAC presented the whole situation and requested him to look into the matter and direct the concerned authorities to act according to the law. On 7th December 2009, ALAC received a letter from NADRA stating that the referred case had been properly investigated. NADRA officials admitted that someone else had used Khalid’s particulars based on his Manual Identity Card. The sham card had been blocked and Khalid’s CNIC had been prepared and sent to the relevant NADRA office, from where he was advised to collect it. The letter also mentioned NADRA’s regret for inconveniencing the complainant. ALAC told Khalid to visit the NADRA office to collect his CNIC. On 7th December 2009, Khalid visited the ALAC office to report that he had received his CNIC. He thanked ALAC for their cooperation and help.

Lahore, Sui Northern Gas Company Lahore, Environmental Tribunal Lahore, with her complaint but all of her efforts were in vain.

Moreover, these departments including the ruling party in Punjab – PML(N) – and the Punjab Police, distorted facts and fully protected those who were continuously responsible for this public nuisance and the theft of the government’s gas. When she launched a complaint at the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), they sent notices to the thieving residents periodically and directed them to appear before them. However, the accused residents abused the inspection officials and allegedly tore the notices. According to a concerned official of EPD: “When under Section 148-B of the Punjab Local Government Law confiscated generator of one of the residents, the ASI of the concerned police station highly pressurized us and removed generator from our custody from City District Office (Town Hall). Police, favorable to both residents registered a case/counter FIR of theft and trespass (362/09) against City District Government, Lahore and Environment Protection Department. We also received favorable pressure calls from Deputy Media Coordinator of Chief Minister.” After receiving the email, ALAC first examined the matter and then contacted the complainant and heard her grievance in detail. On 4th January 2010, based on the evidence provided, ALAC wrote letters to the Chief Minister Punjab and Inspector General Punjab Police bringing the matter to their notice and requested them to investigate it. On 19th February 2010, ALAC sent a reminder to the Secretary to Chief Minister of Punjab requesting him to look into the matter and direct the concerned authorities to take appropriate steps to resolve it. On 23rd February 2010, Secretary to the Chief Minister Punjab wrote a letter to the Secretary Environment, with a copy sent to ALAC, in which he stated that Chief Minister Punjab desired to initiate appropriate legal actions against the complaint. On 10th March 2010, the Environment Protection Department Lahore replied to Secretary to the Chief Minister Punjab in which he was told that the matter had been investigated and a site inspection had been conducted through the District Officer (Environmental) Lahore in presence of the parties. They were also heard personally. Upon this investigation, a direction was passed against the respondents. Relevant portion of the direction is: “Adopt appropriate remedial measures for controlling noise pollution generated due operation of power generator installed within the premises of your residence so that the noise level should not cause discomfort to the complainant and to the satisfaction of this agency or stop the operation of pollution-generated activities.” Thereafter, the compliance of this EPO was checked by them and it was found that the owner of the house had shifted his generator to the back of his house. However, the owner of the other house had failed to comply with the directives of EPO. Hence, a complaint against the defaulting person – namely Mr. Abdul* was filed in the Environmental Tribunal Lahore for prosecution. On 27th March 2010, ALAC received a letter from the Environmental Protection Agency in which it was told that the case was pending for adjudication against Mr. Abdul in Environmental Tribunal Lahore. On 29th March 2010, a reminder letter was sent from Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Secretariat to Secretary Environment asking to inform the CM about the action taken. Thereafter in the month of April 2010, the complainant Ms. Sarah appeared at the hearing of this case in Environmental Tribunal and got relief in her favor. The Honorable Environmental Tribunal was pleased to direct the respondent for removal of the heavy gas generator. Eventually Ms. Sarah got justice. On 16th June she emailed ALAC: “Here I would like to jot down a thank you note, but I am sure it will be difficult to draft. ALAC support and helped me take up this matter of corruption (Environment Protection Department) with a lot of enthusiasm. There is no longer any doubt of ALAC’s efficiency and I feel proud to have joined hands with them to fight against corruption. I send my cordial gratitude to ALAC.” Hence, this case was resolved giving ALAC another success.

requested to stop the leakages in tax collection (19.5 percent GST) on prepaid calling cards. TI-Pakistan also recommended tax authorities to make a fool-proof system for the transfer of the GST by telecom operators, wireless phone and internet companies. A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. According to a news report, after the letter from Transparency International Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed FBR to prepare a report on devising policies to ensure 100% tax collection without any leakages. On the direction of the apex court, the FBR shall formulate a policy and direct all cellular companies, wireless phone and internet service providers to get the pre-paid cards stamped as GST collected and numbered by the FBR prior to sale. The record of total number of cards issued by the companies along with their serial number should be provided to FBR by these companies. Through the introduction of the new system, the leakage of GST on pre-paid cards will be stopped and the FBR is expected to collect 100 percent GST on pre-paid cards (According to the system suggested by the TI Pakistan, estimated revenue would be Rs8 billion to Rs10 billion a month which is almost USD80 million to USD100 million). This will also enable savings on loss of bank interest in the delayed deposit of the GST of 30 days as per current procedure which will add billions of rupees of revenue to the national exchequer.