Pakistan signs UN Convention Against Corruption

Corruption has become an issue of increasing global concern, and Pakistan has been playing an active role in international efforts to address the problem. Recently, the United Nations proposed the development of a new global legal instrument against corruption.
Pakistan has been the most vociferous supporter of this initiative, believing that it could hold promise for advancing good governance, democracy, rule of law, human rights, economic and sustainable development, and for bringing about greater stability and security in the world.
A three member Delegation headed by Minister of State for Food and Agriculture, Mr Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Director General NAB Rawalpindi Rear Admiral Saeed Ahmad Sargana and this scribe visited Merida, Mexico from 9-11 December 2003 to attend high level Political Conference to sign UN Convention against Corruption.
Pakistan is among the first 15 countries of the world to sign the Convention. Mr. Bosan signed the Convention on behalf of the Govt. of Pakistan on 9th December 2003.
It was a historic moment for Pakistan had played a very proactive role in each session of negotiations of the Convention.
Signing of this document reiterates the fact that all nations of the world are united against the menace of corruption.
ADDRESS OF THE LEADER OF PAKISTAN DELEGATION TO THE PLENARY OF THE CONVENTION: Leader of Pakistan delegation addressed the Plenary on 10th December. He thanked the Government and people of Mexico for hosting the historic Political Conference for signing the Convention against Corruption.
He highlighted the role played by Pakistan during all the negotiation sessions of the Convention.
He acknowledged the support of various member states for agreeing to positions taken by Pakistan on various issues like Asset Recovery, Mutual legal Assistance and Extradition.
He hoped that by putting in place the preventive measures to check corruption, an enabling environment will be created to control the incidence of corruption. He expressed Pakistan's strong desire to work with the international community to check the menace of corruption.
He hoped that Pakistan would do its best to ratify the Convention as soon as possible.
MEETING WITH UK'S LEADER OF DELEGATION: His UK counterpart Baroness Scotland Q.C., Minister of State for the Criminal Justice and Law Reforms, called upon leader of Pakistan delegation.
She acknowledged Pakistan's contribution in the finalisation of UN Convention against Corruption.
She also appreciated the activities of NAB in not only checking corruption but also putting in place the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) project.
Leader of Pakistan delegation told her that Pakistan Govt. accords highest priority to the issue of corruption and no action would be spared to ratify the Convention at the earliest.
She was also told that Pakistan is much ahead in the implementation of the Convention because the NACS project, duly approved by the President of Pakistan, is already working on many areas highlighted by the Convention.
Baroness Scotland suggested that both UK and Pakistan should establish a joint EXPERT GROUP to sort out the legal and other issues for a successful and early ratification of the Convention. Leader of Pakistan Delegation agreed to the proposal.
Pakistani leader acknowledged the help and support provided by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), in formulating the NACS project.
He called for further co-operation in the field of mutual legal assistance, training and capacity building of the Government of Pakistan for implementation of the Convention.
Leader of Pakistan delegation raised the issue of Agricultural Subsidies prevalent in European countries.
He stressed that these subsidies are causing great economic hardship to the farming communities in the developing countries.
He pointed out that marginalization of farming communities in developing countries is breeding vicious circle of poverty, migration from rural to urban areas and illegal migration to developed countries.
He hoped that government of UK will continue raising the issue at the EU level to reform the system of agricultural subsidies to create a genuinely free trade environment for the agri-producers from the developing countries.
Pakistani head of delegation called upon the leaders of delegation of Denmark, Saudi Arabia, India, Yemen and Greece.
He discussed the issues of anti-corruption initiative in these countries and shared Pakistan's experience.
PAKISTAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING FOUR SIDE-EVENTS:
-- Preventive Measures against Corruption: the Role of Private and Public Sectors.
-- The Role of the Civil Society and Media in Building a Culture against Corruption
-- Legislative Measures to Implement UN Convention against Corruption
-- Measures to fight Corruption in National and International Financial Systems
The Panel based discussion provided opportunities to delegates to exchange views on various issues related to good governance and anti-corruption activities.
During one of these side events, Pakistan delegation raised the issue of Training of young Parliamentarians.
The point was well taken and Member of Parliament for St. Albert Canada, Mr John G. Williams promised to look into this issue and extend support in arranging some sort of training regime for young Parliamentarians from Pakistan. Mr Williams is Chairman Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION: APRIL 20-22, ISLAMABAD: The hosting of this international conference by Pakistan is a stark reminder to the world community that Pakistan is cognisant of the evils of corruption and is poised to adopt and ratify every legal and diplomatic effort to check it.
This conference is another indicator that Pakistan, being a leading country in the region, fighting against corruption at international level, is seriously scrutinising and sorting out all such issue areas as political, economic, legal and administrative before the Convention is put up to the Federal Cabinet for ratification.
It will also facilitate the discussion on various challenges and opportunities faced by member countries in the implementation of the Convention.
Leadership at NAB has displayed a vision by hosting this conference. It is hoped that this opportunity will play a significant role in terms of enlisting the support and co-operation of all the national and international entities and other member states and non-state actors to share their ideas, experiences and concerns about ratification of this Convention.
Pakistan takes pride in its consistent and sustained efforts to check corruption at all levels and feels proud to provide a platform to many regional countries to join their efforts and energies to successfully fight the corruption in all its manifestations.