Balochistan CM urges joint efforts to eliminate corruption

Improvements needed in the existing laws and regulations, says Jam Kamal Khan

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal on Monday agreed to launch an earnest drive against corrupt elements within the provincial government. He was chairing a high-level meeting to review issues related to efficiency and capacity building of Anti-Corruption Agency Balochistan.

Secretary Services and General Administration Department S&GD and Director General Anti-Corruption Establishment Balochistan approved some of the recommendations made by the CM. Jam Kamal directed them to send the recommendations in the form of summaries to the Chief Minister Secretariat for approval.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Zahid Saleem, Secretary Information Shah Irfan Ghirsheen and Director Anti-Corruption Ayaz Baloch were also present in the meeting. Secretary S&GAD also briefed the meeting about the rules, scope and competencies of the organisation besides the provisions of Anti-Corruption Act and Legal Framework.

The meeting agreed the need to transform it into an independent and competent body by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the institution for which necessary amendments were decided in the Provincial Anti-Corruption Act, 2010.The provincial government has termed it essential to balance institutions at the provincial level and determine their boundaries.

The DG AC was directed to prepare recommendations in consultation with the law department.CM Kamal also directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to convene a monthly meeting of the Anti-Corruption Review Committee at the divisional and district levels before submitting their reports to the CM’s Office.

"Changes and improvements were needed in the existing laws and regulations to improve the performance of the institutions set up to eradicate corruption," Kamal said.

"A professional environment needs to be created in the departments and institutions that appointed officers carry out their responsibilities and be well aware of what they are responsible for, what their duties are and whether they are performing their duties well or not.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2020.