PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman on Monday said the people would fully support the anti-corruption campaign in the country if the looted money was recovered and spent on their development.

Addressing a function in connection with the Anti-Corruption Day at the Governor’s House, Mr Farman claimed that Pakistan was among top five countries known for charity work by citizens but unlike the residents of four other countries, most Pakistanis didn’t pay taxes.

He said if the people had confidence that money collected through taxes would be used on health, education and infrastructure development and employment generation, they will readily pay taxes,” he said.

The governor said the state was responsible for catering to the basic needs of the people but that would happen only if the people didn’t evade taxes.

Functions, rallies mark Anti-Corruption Day

He added that if the state met its responsibilities, the society would see reduction in the incidence of corruption.

Mr Farman said the rulers had to change their lifestyle and prove that amassing wealth was not their objective.

NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, director general Fayyaz Ahmad Qureshi said since 2000, the NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had received 51,587 complaints mostly related to misappropriation of funds, misuse of authority and accumulation of illegal assets by officials, conducted 1,924 inquiries, 769 investigations and filed 540 references in accountability courts.

He added that conviction rate in those cases was impressively 70 per cent.

The DG said a survey conducted by Transparency International, Pakistan, in 2018 showed that corruption was on the decline in Pakistan. He said more efforts were required to free Pakistan from corruption.

Chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, former chief secretary Rustam Shah Mohmand and Pashto writer Abaseen Yousafzai also spoke on the occasion.

Prizes were distributed among students declared winners in painting and declamation contests.

In Lower Dir, functions and walks were held to mark the Anti-Corruption Day.

Additional deputy commissioner Ashfaq Ahmad told a function in Balambat area that the people should be educated on the devastating effects of corruption on their lives.

Walks were also held with participants carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against corruption.

In Khar area of Bajaur tribal district, the police department held a conference on the Anti-Corruption Day.

The participants later participated in a walk meant to raise public awareness against corruption.

In Ghalanai area of Mohmand tribal district, an event was held, where students delivered speeches on the topic of corruption-free Pakistan.

Poets also read their poems highlighting the evils of corruption. In Tajazai area of Lakki Marat district, speakers at a function called for promotion of self-accountability among people to free society from corruption.

The function was arranged by district administration with support of the education department and boy scouts association.

In Haripur and Shangla areas, too, functions and rallies were held to mark the Anti-Corruption Day.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2019