President for making an example of plunderers of national wealth

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said that the law had taken its course and the plunderers of national resources would be made an example as the time had come for ensuring effective accountability.
Addressing a seminar on “Accountability and Good Governance” organised by the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president also inaugurated the PMIC’s helpline 1818 and expressed the hope that it would further contribute to curbing corruption and redressing the public grievances.
He called for meting out an exemplary punishment to those found involved in corrupt practices irrespective of their status in order to safeguard the country from corruption in future, adding that for this purpose, all related departments should expedite their anti-corruption activities to meet the public expectations. He said that state institutions should ensure corruption-free good governance as per the aspirations of the people for putting the country on track of sustainable growth and development.
The president stated that uniformity in views of people and state departments regarding accountability and good governance was a healthy development, which indicates that the country has a bright future. He emphasized on strengthening the resolve at political, executive and judicial levels for ensuring effective accountability and good governance as per the international standards so that the Pakistani nation and institutions were able to compete with developed nations of the world.
He said that for eradication of a social evil like corruption, it was imperative to focus on spiritual growth, moral development and religious values of the masses. “The basis of this complex phenomenon is not only social injustice but also shying away from religious and moral values,” he added.
The president called upon the family system, this regard. “If all these efforts go in vain then the state must pursue the corrupt elements proactively and bring them to book”, he maintained. He said that ways of good governance had changed in the changing world and now devolution of power to lower level and reduction in expenditure was being emphasized upon. He called for making use of e-government and tele-conferencing facilities for reducing government expenditure and enhancing its performance.
Emphasizing upon bringing transparency in public procurement and contracting system, he underlined the need on adopting openness and modern methods in this regard.The president also distributed souvenirs amongst participants of seminar. Parliamentarians, ambassadors of various countries, chairman NAB, auditor general and scores of federal secretaries also attended the event.
Later, the President desired Bahria University to present its recommendations for formulation of Maritime Policy for ensuring security and defence of the country in the prevailing circumstances.
While talking to Rector Bahria University Vice Admiral (R) Tanveer Faiz who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that Bahria University is an important educational institution of the country which, besides carrying out research on Maritime Security, is imparting education in multiple disciplines including engineering and social sciences. He also appreciated Bahria University for reserving 2% seats for disabled students and offering scholarships to its meritorious students and financial assistance to needy students.