KARACHI: Plea bargaining is a tool to protect corruption mafia that is devouring national resources, said speakers at an anti-corruption rally on Friday, adding that corruption can only be eliminated when its political backing is ended.
According to reports, to mark the occasion of the International Day of Anti-corruption, Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment staged a rally from Sindh Assembly that marched to the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
The rally was led by senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Alamdin Bullo, and Director General National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Vice-chancellors of various universities of Karachi and a large number of people participated in the walk.
The walk concluded at the KPC where a program was also organized by Enquiries and Anti-corruption establishment Sindh.
Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Alamdin Bullo warmly welcomed all participants and said that bribery and corruption are major offences saying, “Let us raise this awareness together; your participation has proved that you are always with us to fight corruption.”
Bullo said that they are taking serious actions against corruption, adding that a training academy was going to be established with regards to this.
He also said that over 4000 complaints regarding corruption have been received and 400 inquiries have already been started.
“More than 30 officers of the anti-corruption department have been given show-cause notices on their negligence. Complaints centres have also been set up to facilitate citizens,” Bullo said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that nobody is above the law and it is due to law enforcement that ministers and prime ministers have been punished. He said that stern action has been taken against the corruption mafia.
He said that the NAB and anti-corruption departments are performing their due role against corruption, adding this role needs further improvement. He concluded that now is the time to say “No to corruption.”
DG NAB, Karachi Muhammad Altaf Bawany said that the NAB is a federal institution and it is taking strict actions against corruption. He said the NAB has received more than 7,000 complaints against corruption, out of which 30 have already investigated. He further said that more than 300 cases of corruption are being in courts for trial. He said the NAB has saved the government’s treasury from a loss of Rs300billion.
He also said corruption is widespread in the country and the youth are supporting them in this crackdown of corruption. He added that they are approaching schools and colleges because the students are the backbone of the country and that they will be managing the country in future.
Senior Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that corruption is harmful to everyone and suggested that lessons against corruption should be included in the curriculum.
He said that the problem of corruption had not been addressed in past, adding that dictatorship governments were also responsible for the increase in corruption in the society.
Khuhro also suggested a social boycott of corrupt officers.
He said that the NAB should get rid of plea bargaining so that the corruption mafia are unable to escape from the net of accountability.
