Dar terms OGP as another step towards increased government transparency

Pakistan's participation in Open Government Partnership (OGP) will be another step towards increased government transparency and stronger accountability leading to greater prosperity and wellbeing of the citizens. "Measures such as accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Convention on Tax Matters and move to join the OGP, will project a positive image of the country around the world and demonstrate Pakistan's strong commitment to transparency, good governance and accountability," Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Ishaq Dar said.
He made these remarks while chairing a meeting at the Finance Division on Saturday to review the preparations for his visit to Paris to participate in the 4th biennial "Open Government Partnership (OGP)" Global Summit to be held from 6th to 9th of December 2016. The Finance Minister earlier accepted the invitation of the Governments of the United Kingdom and France to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative.
The Letter of Intent signed by the Finance Minister has already been sent to OGP Secretariat expressing the intention of the Government of Pakistan to join OGP and commitment to respect the open government principles articulated in the Open Government Declaration of the OGP.
On the instructions of the Finance Minister, the Economic Affairs Division had earlier arranged the first interactive session with the members of the civil society to formulate a road map for open government action plan. The next meeting with the members of the civil society shall be held in the month of January. The Minister directed Secretary EAD and his team to take all necessary steps that could help in reaping the maximum benefits from Pakistan's participation in the OGP Summit. The meeting was attended by the senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Division.