The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is Pakistan's apex anti-corruption organisation with the vision of corruption free society. The Bureau is constantly adapting new ways to tackle the forth coming challenges in the elimination of corruption by engaging all stakeholders in fight against corruption and corrupt practices through a holistic approach encompassing Awareness, Prevention, Enforcement and Prosecution of white-collar crime.
The deep rooted corruption in our society poses grave challenges for the socio-economic and political development of the country. Corruption not only erodes the trust and confidence that citizens hold in one another and in their governments. It always hurts the poor the most as it causes to divert funds for development that could be invested in a brighter future, undermines government capability to ensure basic services and leads to inequality and injustice. Every bribe paid represents a hidden tax on the cost of doing business and a drag on economic growth.
Since the inception of Pakistan, unchecked corruption at various levels and tiers of society has resulted in corrupt flaunting their ill-gotten wealth with impunity and also trying, somewhat successfully, to silence those who undertake to enforce the letter of law. This is the back drop against which the National Accountability Bureau has been striving hard to accomplish its mission of a corruption free society.
Identification and recovery of embezzled national wealth and assets is a huge challenge.
This is a significantly major issue faced by developing countries like Pakistan, where high-level corruption has crippled desperately needed public resources. Effective asset recovery guidelines complement the policies of countries to address the devastating effects of corruption while flashing a message to corrupt authorities that they cannot hide their illicit belongings.
Eradicating corruption would be just impossible without having laws and bylaws that apply to nations and governments around the world. There comes United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) into picture. The Convention has served as an effective tool for combating corruption, which is a burning global issue. The approval of the Convention by 100 nations around the world indicated their strong political commitment to deal with the problem. The UNCAC provided comprehensive, universal and fair measures to tackle corruption. Pakistan being the signatory of UNCAC has expressed its uncompromising attitude in eradicating corruption in all its manifestations by implementing its articles through an intensive approach of Awareness, Prevention, Enforcement and Prosecution.
In an attempt to ward off corruption, the convention recommends that signatory states should set up tools and systems to review suspicious transactions, evaluate financial and exchange information.
Transparency and responsibilities in issues of public finance needs to be taken into account. Though through Enforcement NAB has successfully prosecuted hundreds of corrupt Public Office Holders and private persons besides recovering billions of rupees but still much is needed to be done.
No process of accountability can be successfully undertaken without the cooperation of civil society and media. NAB since the very beginning has been has been engaging all the stakeholders in its fight against corruption through proactive approach and appreciates their cooperation and support in achieving our objectives.
I also urge all the law enforcing agencies committed in anti-corruption endeavours to continue with greater zeal so as future generations shall have a better Pakistan. Corruption can only exist if we let people get away with it, so join us on this International Anti-Corruption Day to show that together, corruption can be defeated.
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