Positive feedback: NAB to continue awareness campaign in 2017

Chaudhry says campaign was effectively, positively highlighted in the media

After receiving positive feedback over its proactive awareness and prevention campaign in the print and electronic media last year, the National Accountability Bureau has decided to continue the “Say No to Corruption” campaign for the ongoing year as well.

This was decided in a meeting chaired by NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry to review progress of the bureau’s awareness and prevention campaign at NAB Headquarters, a statement said on Monday.

Noting that awareness campaigns were mandated under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), Chaudhry pointed out that under the nationwide campaign across the country, NAB had been engaging different governmental, non-governmental organisations, media, civil society and other segments of society in order to raise awareness about the ill effects of corruption.

Feedback received from various segments of society showed that NAB’s awareness and prevention campaign was effectively and positively highlighted in the print and electronic media throughout the country.

Under the campaign, NAB’s message was inscribed on all ATM machines of all scheduled banks across the country.

Moreover, NAB had organised a national seminar on World Anti-Corruption Day 2016 at Aiwan-e-Sadr which was chaired by President Mamnoon Hussain. It was followed by a walk at Aiwan-Sadr which was led by the president.

Similarly NAB and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create awareness amongst students of various universities and colleges. In this regard over 42,000 character building societies had been established in various universities and colleges across the country.

Moreover, NAB joined with utility providers such as SNGPL, IESCO, LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO and K-Electric to print the “Say No to Corruption” message from their platform by printing it on electric and gas bills to disseminate awareness about the ill effects of corruption.

Moreover, NAB collaborated with PTA to disseminate its message to all mobile phone subscribers across the country on the eve of World Anti-Corruption Day.

The accountability body, in collaboration with Pakistan Film Censor Board, aired NAB’s video message in all cinema houses of the country.

Further, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination joined hands with NAB to print the “Say NO to Corruption” message on cigarette packs across the country.

NAB’s message on “Say No to Corruption” is also being printed on all government tenders issued for publication in newspapers in Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

Chaudhry reiterated that NAB’s top priority was to eradicate corruption from the country by using all its resources.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2017.