Weeding out corruption: Nawaz orders penalties against venal officials

Says governance cannot be improved unless anti-nepotism steps are taken, and inefficiency removed.

ISLAMABAD:

The crusade against corruption leapfrogged from verbal pronouncements to practical action on Monday when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the scrapping of contracts of all officials found involved in corruption.

Delivered through a letter addressed to cabinet ministers and federal secretaries, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for stern action against corrupt officials, including cancellation of contracts.

“As you are aware, the menace of corruption has thwarted all efforts aimed at institution building and improving public service delivery. Curbing this menace ranks very high on the agenda of our government,” read the letter dispatched by the premier’s office.

“Governance cannot be improved unless corruption, nepotism, inefficiency and conflict of interest are tackled upfront,” the letter said.

Giving directions on how to efficiently and effectively deliver public services, the prime minister said that there is “no room for corrupt and non-transparent practices in the present dispensation.”

Calling for a full screening of all staff under various ministries, the prime minister said that officers with a reputation for inefficiency, hostility to the public and corruption should be removed from positions of authority forthwith.

Stressing on the need for creating a “new outlook” of government, the letter said that all ministries, divisions and statutory bodies should be extremely careful in selection of people on positions of authority.



Since people had reposed trust in the present dispensation, it said, betraying their confidence was not an option. The letter asked all relevant departments to provide a regular update to the prime minister on compliance of instructions against corrupt elements in government.

The prime minister further said that, to arrive at a corruption-free government, the selection and appointment process for officers working at integral institutions requires strict scrutiny.

The federal secretaries and cabinet will strictly follow the instructions as ineligible and corrupt officials cannot deliver better governance and will keep the prime minister informed of any developments and changes made.

Pakistan has consistently ranked poorly in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2011, Pakistan ranked 134 on the index with 42 countries ranking worse. In 2012, Pakistan’s ranking dropped even further from 134 to 139, making Pakistan the 34th most corrupt country in the world, tied with Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nepal, and Nigeria. The 2012 index ranks 176 countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

Power cuts in Ramazan

Cognisant of the unique schedules during the holy month of Ramadan, the prime minister has directed the water and power ministry to ensure that there is no load-shedding at the time of Iftar, Sehri and Taraweeh timings.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2013.