Need stressed to act against corruption

A seminar on importance of corruption-free Pakistan was organised by the Sindh enquiries and anti-corruption establishment department at a local hotel on Wednesday.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad was the chief guest and Minister for Enquiries & Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh Manzoor Hussain Wassan and Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotiana, Retired Lt Col Siraj Naeem and others were the guests of honour at the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, Siraj Naeem said that corruption was not a current issue as it started from 1947 when Pakistan came into being. He said from the very beginning, they had faced lot of crises like migrants settlement or other issues which caused increase in corruption in Pakistan. He said corruption was very dangerous for any country’s economy. He said the Sindh government was responsible for taking measures for corruptions-free Pakistan.

Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) Director Adil Gilani said that every person was hit by corruption or was a victim of corruption, adding that an honest person was considered useless man in the country because of lack of awareness. He appreciated Manzoor Hussain Wassan’s efforts against corruption in Sindh. He said that Manzoor Wassan had submitted a report on Thar crisis but unfortunately the report was not recognised due to political interference.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra said he considered corruption as cancer of the society. “Today every person cannot make any project without bribe.” He said only two departments – Motorway Police and NADRA – are working honestly in Pakistan while others were littered with corruption.

He said both the departments were a role model for all other departments. He said the government would provide medical and other facilities to the police department and it could help police department to work honestly in the country. He said the police department did not have any powers regarding taking action against the elements.

Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotiana said: “Corruption is a misuse of powers and we cannot ignore importance of NAB against corruption.” Wassan said corruption was a serious issue of the society and it could not be ignored as it causes loss to economy and good governance. He said not only officials but citizens too would have to play their active role for corruption-free Pakistan.

Governor Ishratul Ibad said before corruption becomes the part of the system, they should strongly react against it, adding they should follow the theories of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for good governance and corruption free-Pakistan.