By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 9 (APD)-- Pakistani President Arif Alvi in a message on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day on Sunday called upon all citizens to play their role in the country’s fight against corruption and paving the way for economic growth and prosperity.

Recalling that International Anti-Corruption Day was observed due to the 2003 ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption which sought to raise public awareness about financial crimes, the president said, “This day serves as a reminder not only to the people of Pakistan but also to the citizens of all nations around the globe about the harmful effects of corruption.”

“Corruption is a major hindrance against development and prosperity, said the president, adding that it hurt business and the economy, which in turn sabotages the prosperity of the nation.

Corrupted economies remain unable to function properly because corruption prevents free functioning of the natural laws of the economy. As a result, corruption in a nation's political and economic operations causes its entire society to suffer, he added.

Billions of rupees in public funds are lost annually to corruption, directly affecting the ability of the government to provide even proper basic services to the public, the president said.

The president talked about the role of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as being the apex anti-corruption agency of Pakistan and said the sheer scale of this challenge calls for combined efforts to confront it head on.

He called upon and urged all segments of society to unite in bringing out changes in attitude and contribute to efforts in putting an end to corruption to support economic growth in order to bring prosperity.

He added that corruption cases should be taken to their logical conclusion by strengthening prosecution.

Earlier this week, the president said that he had to pay Rs. 50,000 (370 US dollars) to get a telephone connection in 1970s.

On the occasion, the NAB’s Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal said: People should know that NAB is using its authorities against the corrupt elements.”

He added that those who had previous called NAB dead wood are now, to some extent, willing to accept that it had become a tree with branches and was in bloom.

He concluded by noting that every step taken by NAB will be for the citizens and state of Pakistan.

The NAB has been running an extensive campaign against corruption for the last couple of years in Pakistan and has arrested several important political leaders and officials in corruption cases.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)