PAC engages govt on conference
In a bid to remove any suspicion, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) says it has been engaging government to clarify that the forthcoming All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference was not targeting the current regime.
PAC executive director Robert Phiri confirmed in an interview on Monday that his organisation has been meeting State representatives to discuss issues surrounding the conference which is expected to discuss the Capital Hill cashgate where billions of kwacha in public funds were looted and the handling of the matter by authorities.
He said preparations for the conference slated for February 24 at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre were at an advanced stage and that delegates, including those from government, have already been invited.
Said Phiri: “I can confirm that the conference is on. We have shared with the State machinery in terms of the objective of the conference and they have been invited to the conference.
“Our interaction has been cordial and constructive. So, I can confirm that we have shared our plans just to demonstrate that the conference has no hidden agenda but to discuss principles and issues for the sake of common good.”
Among issues to be discussed, Phiri said experts would present an analysis of 50 years of independent Malawi, insulating economic and development policies in Malawi, the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the country.
Last year, Phiri said PAC expects delegates to the conference to discuss issues with a sober mind as the aim was to come up with resolutions that could be respected by all governments that would come beyond May 20 2014.
Last year, sources told The Nation that PAC would not stop delegates to the third conference to call for the resignation of President Joyce Banda if the forensic audit report will link her name to the Capital Hill looting.
A similar conference in March 2012 gave 60 days to former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika to address various challenges facing the country at that time, including the scarcity of forex and fuel or step down.
