Peshawar – Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan on Monday said that International Anti-Corruption Day is observed worldwide every year on December 9, reminding us that corruption is not merely a violation of the law but an assault on the nation’s future.
He said corruption undermines the very foundations of the country and has become a social menace. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar organized by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Establishment at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar, on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day.
The event was attended by Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah, former Advisor on Anti-Corruption Musaddiq Abbasi, Secretary Establishment Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Mehsud, administrative secretaries of various provincial departments, students of educational institutions, and a large number of youth.
Addressing the seminar, Shafi Jan said that the biggest challenge facing the country today is corruption, which weakens national foundations and pushes the social system towards destruction. He said that eradication of corruption is a core point of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s manifesto and the top priority of the provincial government.
Shafi Jan said the provincial government is taking serious and effective measures to eliminate corruption, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, a zero-tolerance policy against corruption is being fully implemented across the province. On the directives of the Chief Minister, awareness walks, seminars, and various events will be organized by government departments during Anti-Corruption Week from December 8 to 13.
He said that the complete eradication of corruption is essential to set the country on the path of development, as corruption hampers investment and brings the wheel of development to a halt, directly harming the public. He added that promoting transparency in institutions is a basic prerequisite for good governance.
Shafi Jan said that the provincial government is taking comprehensive measures to resolve public issues and steer the province towards development. He strongly criticized Pakistan Muslim League (N), saying that in the view of the PML-N-led federal government, corruption is not considered an issue at all. Unfortunately, Pakistan ranks 135th on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
He said that a recent IMF report identified corruption amounting to Rs5,300 billion, which is, in fact, a clear charge sheet against the federal government. He added that cases such as the Maqsoud Chaprasi case, TT corruption case, Omni Group case, and other major corruption scandals are before the entire world.
Shafi Jan said that with the amount of corruption mentioned in the IMF report, large dams could have been constructed and significant investment could have been made in key sectors such as health and education. He said that as a representative of the provincial government, they invite the IMF to conduct a diagnostic report on governance and corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, assuring that the province will ensure 100 percent implementation of the report and will not suppress it like the federal government.
