Moot spotlights anti-corruption reforms

ISLAMABAD:

Civil society representatives highlighted the country's ongoing anti-corruption reforms aligned with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), emphasising progress achieved through legal reforms, institutional strengthening, digitization, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Speaking on behalf of the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), Syed Kausar Abbas said it was an honour to represent Pakistan's civil society at the Eleventh Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to UNCAC in Doha, attended by over 190 state parties and civil society organisations. Abbas delivered the civil society statement at the global forum.

He noted that Pakistan has undertaken significant reforms to address corruption as a systemic governance challenge. These include strengthened accountability laws, implementation of Right to Information (RTI) legislation at federal and provincial levels, whistleblower protection frameworks, and institutional reforms to enhance the capacity of the National Accountability Bureau, provincial anti-corruption bodies, and integrity committees within public institutions.

Abbas highlighted progress in digital governance, pointing to reforms in social protection programmes, land record management, asset recovery, political finance tracking, licensing systems, and grievance redressal platforms. He said digitisation has reduced discretionary powers, improved transparency, and strengthened accountability, while proactive disclosure of information has enhanced public trust and service delivery.

"These reforms demonstrate political will and a shift toward preventive and system-based approaches to combating corruption," he said.