Director General, Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Kazim Ali Malik, here, on Monday, warned the government officials to mend their ways of working forthwith, otherwise, ACE would initiate stern action against corrupt officials after two months. In his maiden press conference after taking charge as DG Anti-Corruption Establishment, Kazim Ali Malik said that strict action would be taken against corrupt officials, if they failed to mend their ways.
He said that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has given him free hand for eradicating the corruption from public sector. Kazim Ali Malik maintained that he had asked the officers of ACE to complete inquiries within one month and send challans to courts after completing investigations within two months from now onward.
He said that action against corrupt officials would be taken without any discrimination, however, instead of targeting low-grade officials, corrupt officers would be taken to task. He was of the view that reformation is not possible by taking actions against low paid employees. He further said that the ACE would neither cross its powers nor take undue intervention in the affairs of other departments.
He said there was difference in irregularity and crime and the ACE would act in case a crime is committed in official dealings. He also warned the black mailers and all those who used to submit fake complaints against government officials to give up this practice; otherwise, necessary action would also be taken against them under the law.