Practical steps urged to curb graft

LAHORE

Corruption is spreading in Pakistan like other evils which are continuously worsening the public problems while ‘settlement’ is a new word for corruption. There is a need for practical steps to revive the country image internationally by eradication of corruption at every stage, as it would promote trade and investment in Pakistan.

These views were expressed by the experts in Jang Economic Session on ‘reduction in corruption – youth view on it’. The participants included Riffat Malik, Salman Aslam, Hamza Ijaz, Sadaf Touqeer, Syed Fakhir and Dawood Ahmed while hosted by Sikindar Lodhi.

Riffat Malik said that all institutions of Pakistan were in grip of corruption affecting the performance and shattering public confidence.

She said the institutions meant to curb corruption were also doing corruption and it had become a business. She called for availability of basic civic facilities to the public so that confidence could be revived. She called for promoting honesty in business.

Salman Aslam said the corruption had become a common thing with the name of ‘settlement’ which was openly continued at every level. He said corrupt people had crossed all limits in public institutions and everyone asked share on it.

He said that social media should expose the corrupt practices and people while public should also show patience and discourage the use of unfair means, he added.

Hamza Ijaz said transparency international report showed decline in corruption in Pakistan while the situation was reverse.

He said apparently campaign against corruption was initiated but effective planning was required for 100 percent results. He said had management of the institutions honestly performed their duties corruption could have been discouraged.

Sadaf Touqeer said that youth was being adversely affected by corruption. She said according to the transparency international report, three percent corruption was reduced but facts were against the claims. She said that all the officials should play their positive role for corruption eradication. 

Syed Fakhir said that transparency report on corruption was a jugglery of words only. He called for training and educating the next generation to curb corruption, change and improve the system at every stage.

Dawood Ahmed said that corruption had unfortunately become a business in Pakistan which was patronised by the influential of the society. He said that the influential segment created hurdle to break this circle.

He called for practical steps to revive the country image internationally by eradication of corruption at every stage, as it would promote the trade and investment in Pakistan.