Rehman Malik vows to end corruption, again

Malik and DG FIA Waseem Ahmed say inquiries into corruption of govt departments have been transferred to FIA.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik along with Director General (DG) of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Waseem Ahmed on Thursday announced that data has been gathered and anti-corruption measures  will be taken to curb corruption in government departments.

Talking to the media at the Interior Ministry office in Islamabad, Rehman Malik said an Anti-Corruption Unit will start working in the Interior Ministry from Friday and said the government is determined to up-root corruption from all departments.

Malik quoted the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman as having "categorically said" that when department officials conduct inquiries within their own departments, precedence is given to "friendship and not the magnitude of the crime".

Malik said on the recommendations of most of the members, departmental inquiries that have a high content of crime include Capital Development Authority, Sui Gas, FBR and Water and Power Development Authority.

"These inquiries have been transferred to FIA for investigation," he said.

He added that sealed complaint boxes will be placed at all government offices that will be accessible to no one except DG FIA Ahmed or his nominees and action will be ensured against corrupt elements. He also said that public dealing offices should computerise their services for effective dealing.

He said that five pride of performance awards will be given to the persons who will identify and inform the government about any case of corruption with credible information, but that false complaints will meet strict action. He added that no innocent person will be implicated.

Addressing the media, DG FIA Ahmed said information regarding corrupt departments has been gathered with the help of intelligence agencies, and a Vigilant Unit of the FIA has been activated.

He described the sugar crises as a "burning issue" and said that the interior minister has finalised the inquiry on the Trading Corporation Pakistan (TCP) case, revealing that according to their findings, senior officials are involved. "The inquiry has started and we are at the finalising state. If the sugar is not brought out in the next 24 hours, we will certainly take action against the hoarders," he said.

He also said that custom officials have identified officials in Karachi who are using non-duty paid vehicles for private use.