PHOTO: REPRESENTATIONAL
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) provincial chief has described mushrooming of illegal housing societies in Quetta as a major challenge for the city, while calling graft the main cause of Balochistan’s backwardness.
"Establishment of hundreds of illegal housing societies in Quetta without following rules and regulations is a challenge for the city,” NAB Balochistan Director General Farmanullah Khan said while addressing a ceremony at the Governor's House on the occasion of the World Anti-Corruption Day.
The DG said Balochistan is facing various problems and corruption is also a hindrance to the overall development of the province. “The system must be weak, if we are not able to benefit from the mineral resources such as Reko Diq. It means companies are not doing their job well and the existing laws, rules and regulations do not meet the needs of the contemporary times,” he added.
Calling for amending laws, the DG said NAB is always ready to cooperate with the provincial government to re-evaluate the existing laws and strengthen the system so that corruption can be stopped.
“Recommendations are being made to the Government of Balochistan to reform rules of the food, excise, planning and development departments,” he added.
The DG said NAB is committed to elimination of corruption with the support of the people and the government. He said NAB maintains merit in all cases and cannot be pressured
“Pakistan needs accountability. Hopes of the entire nation are tied to NAB. The government and federation are committed to eliminating graft. The main cause of backwardness in Balochistan is the weakening of institutions and the system,” he said.
The director-general said Pakistan is among the world's most vulnerable countries.
"According to a Transparency International report, Pakistan ranks 117 out of 180 in the current rating. Gallup poll suggests that 59% of people trust the NAB because of its anti-corruption measures."
He said NAB has deposited Rs342 billion in the national treasury since its inception while Rs71 billion have been deposited in the national kitty during the 25 months of current chairman Javed Iqbal.
The DG called students an asset, while expressing disappointment over violation of merit in appointments in education institutions, saying such actions are putting future of the nation in danger.
"Educational institutions have a special role in the awareness campaign against corruption. In this regard, various competitions are organised in schools, colleges and universities of Balochistan in which thousands of students from remote areas participated.
“Meetings are also held with media, scholars, artists and the business community and thousands of role-based associations are formed to gain public support against corruption," he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2019.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ