Formation of Saarc Anti-Corruption Forum agreed 

Islamabad

The anti-graft bodies of the countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) agreed with Pakistan’s proposal to establish the “Saarc Anti- Corruption Forum” to get rid of the monster of corruption while declaring it need of the hour.

Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry had proposed for establishing the body. Addressing a Saarc seminar, Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid Monday said forming Anti- Corruption Forum of Saarc is need of the hour.

“Issues and concerns of these nations are common, coordinated efforts against corruption at regional level from SAARC platform are imperative,” he said while addressing an inaugural session of a two-day seminar of SAARC nations on Anti-Corruption at a local hotel here.

The minister said corruption could no longer be considered any country’s internal problem, adding that the member states needed to work jointly by sharing best practices, expertise and experiences relating to global fight against corruption.

By arranging the seminar, he said, the government of Pakistan and NAB had initiated the process for regional cooperation in anti-corruption matters. He said the NAB has the expertise, manpower and institutional mechanism to deal with corruption in a holistic manner.

Sharing working of the NAB, he said, it formulated the national anti- corruption strategy, engaging all stakeholders in fight against corruption by tackling systemic weaknesses and promoting good governance.

Zahid Hamid said the NAB, which is Pakistan’s designated central authority under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) regime, enjoyed partnership with a number of international fora. “Its incessant anti-corruption efforts had been acknowledged by international corruption-watch organization. The marked improvement in Pakistan’s ranking on Transparency International, Corruption Perception Index during last three years is proof of the success of its efforts,” he said.

Commissioner Anti-Corruption Commission of Nepal, Dr Ganesh RajJoshi, on behalf of the SAARC member states, appreciated efforts of NAB in holding the seminar and evolving a joint strategy to uproot corruption from South Asian region.

In his welcome address, Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said Pakistan was ready to engage at regional level in its efforts in combating corruption. He said presence of heads and delegates of anti-corruption agencies from Saarc member states in seminar has endorsed the commitment of their countries to work jointly towards ultimate goal of corruption-free South Asia.

Pakistan, he said, had over the years adopted a comprehensive policy for anti-corruption measures, adding the role of NAB at national level was central. With its jurisdiction spread all over the country, he said, NAB was mandated to take cognizance of corruption and corrupt practices and take effective measures to recover the looted public money.