ISLAMABAD: Hailing King Salman’s anti-corruption drive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), former information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Tuesday said that the initiative to act against corruption was a good omen for the Muslim world.
Talking to reporters, Durrani said, “The Saudi leadership has proved through their actions that no one is above the law anymore, and expressed their unfettered commitment to root-out the menace of corruption from society.”
He welcomed Saudi Arabia’s newly formed anti-corruption committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and said that ruthless action at the top level in KSA had set a precise example to be followed by other Islamic countries while combating corruption.
Durrani said that it was heartening to note that the Muslim world had also joined the international alliance against corruption and stashing plundered money in shady accounts abroad. The recent crackdown by the Saudi government was a clear manifestation of its resolve not to tolerate corruption and to treat it at par with terrorism, he added.
He further said that a positive, progressive and pro-people Saudi Arabia had emerged on the world scene due to recent bold and courageous action taken by young Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Moreover, Durrani said that, “Masses in majority Muslim countries, unfortunately, have been suffering long due to loot and plunder started by the rulers. Bad governance and siphoning of public money was the root cause of all problems confronted by Muslim societies. Role of Saudi clerics is also commendable in this regard, who not only supported but also endorsed the anti-graft move in KSA, especially by declaring terrorism and corruption as equal threats.”
The former information minister said that the people of Pakistan fully supported the anti-corruption drive undertaken in Saudi Arabia. He urged scholars and clerics to play a pivotal role in rooting out corruption from the country, saying that rulers of Pakistan should learn a lesson from Saudi Arabia in connection with initiating anti-corruption drives.