Transparency International Pakistan and Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together for the success of their respective anti-corruption actions. Transparency International Pakistan Chairman Syed Adil Gilani has sent a copy of the MoU draft to CPLC chief, Ahmed Chinoy, requesting him to suggest a date for the signing ceremony.
Transparency International Pakistan aims at building a coherent National Integrity System (NIS) to institutionalise efforts to curb corruption. The ultimate goal of this system is to make corruption a "high-risk" and "low-return" undertaking. It is designed to prevent corruption from occurring in the first phase, rather than resting on punishment after the event. Because corruption tends to be the result of systematic failures, the primary emphasis of Transparency International Pakistan is on reforming the system rather than blaming the individuals.
The MoU has been drafted considering the severe problems in Pakistan due to the existence of corruption, active involvement of CPLC in the fight against corruption, and understanding that civil society plays an important role in supporting anti-corruption policies, and that Transparency International Pakistan is operating an Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre for citizens (ALAC) which significantly contributes to support the citizens and the public authorities in their fight against corruption. The mandate of ALAC is to assist and give free legal advice to the victims and witnesses of corruption.
Transparency International Pakistan and CPLC have agreed that:
-- The two institutions will work together for the success of their respective anti-corruption actions.
-- Both institutions will promote each other's activities by means of leaflets, brochures, posters and other materials, place in spaces accessible to the public, in their offices.
-- Transparency International Pakistan will regularly forward cases which are being in the range of CPLC mandate and vice versa. FIRs will be lodged within 24 hours of the receipt of complaint.
-- Both organisations will maintain confidentiality of the information supplied and will take all possible measures to protect the claimants, victims and witnesses, and.
-- Both institutions will designate, in writing, a contact person authorised to act on behalf of their respective organisations, within seven days from the signing of the MoU.
Earlier, CPLC had informed Transparency International Pakistan that Home Department, Government of Sindh through its notification issued on November 21, 1998 had established Police Complaint Cells/Authority in all district/zonal offices of CPLC. Besides other functions, these complaint cells/authority are also authorised to entertain complaints regarding non-registration of FIRs and take necessary action after due verification.
Police complaint officers who deal with such complaints in CPLC are authorised to obtain complainant's statement under section 154 Cr P C after due verification and forward the same to the concerned police station for lodging of a formal FIR. Upon receipt of such statement, concerned police station is bound to lodge FIR without further delay. Ahmed Chinoy had further informed Transparency International Pakistan that the CPLC came into existence on September 1, 1989 and is assisting victims of crime irrespective of their caste, creed, status or wealth since its inception.