KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday organised an awareness seminar titled “Corruption-free environment accelerates economic development” at the Arts Council Karachi along with a cheque distribution ceremony.
Zubair Habib, CPLC Chief was the chief guest of the ceremony, whereas notables from various walks of life, senior officials of Sindh Government including Chairman Anti Corruption Establishment Ghulam Qadir Thebo, IGP Sindh Mr AD Khwaja and affectees of different corruption scams also participated.
Mr Zubair Habib lauded NAB’s role by placing stringent anti-corruption curbs that acts as a major contribution in economic development, which necessitates conducive and corruption free environment. Highlighting the causes of corruption he said that institutional weakness, vague policy-making and overall poor governance leads to reduced domestic investment, reduced foreign direct investment, distorted allocation of Government expenditures that, as a consequence result in poor economic and political growth. He said that misuse of public power and moral decay are also major causes of corruption in society.
The Zubair Habib appreciated NAB’s efforts in recovery of looted money from the culprits and returning it back to Government and members of public at large who unfortunately fell prey to the tentacles of corrupt elements.
The Guest speakers who delivered their speeches to the seminar included Mr Khalid Mansoor, President Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr Nadeem Naqvi, Managing Director Pakistan Stock Exchange and Dr. Shahida Wizarat, Dean College of Economic and Social Development, who presented their views on various perspectives of economic development with special focus on role of anti-corruption agencies particularly NAB and their impact on overall socio-economic development.
DG NAB Karachi Mr Mohammad Altaf Bawany addressing the seminar reiterated NAB’s commitment to eradication of corruption from society, with zero tolerance policy towards corruption. He said that the investigating agencies alone cannot work in isolation and that the pursuance of this cause requires comprehensive and concerted approach in participative environment.
DG NAB Karachi further said that it is reflective of trust that the public has reposed in NAB that the number of complaints received at NAB has almost doubled as compared to the figures of recent past. He said that as per the version of PILDAT, 42% people trusted NAB as against 30% for Police and 29% for Government offices. DG NAB said that corruption is a serious threat to democracy and sustainable development and that it undermines Govt’s ability to service their people by corroding the rule of law, public institutions and trust in the leadership.
During the programme cheques worth Rs.312 million were distributed, the money was recovered in various corruption cases. Out of Rs.312 million recently recovered, cheques of Rs. 289.221 million were handed over to Govt of Sindh as recovery made from various departments of Government of Sindh which include departments of Finance, Local Government, Irrigation and Education etc.; Rs. 0.061 to OGDCL, Rs. 0.448 to HESCO, Rs0.485 to Askari Bank, Rs. 8.457 million to affectees of M/s Crown Construction Company (Iqra City) and Rs.12.7 million to the affectees of PHA Maymar.
It may be noted that during two Fiscal Years of 2015-16 and 2016-17 NAB has so far disbursed Rs.816.783 million to the Government of Sindh recovered from its various officials.
