Corruption has jeopardised development worldwide

Seminar organised at the UAF to mark the Anti-Corruption Day .

FAISALABAD: University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice-Chancellor Iqrar Ahmed Khan said on Tuesday that teachers and parents played a crucial role in building citizens’ character.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the UAF’s public relations and publications and the institute of rural economics to mark the Anti-Corruption Day. The speakers at the event stressed the need for collective action to eradicate corruption, nepotism, discrimination, plagiarism and dishonesty.

He urged people to become upright, diligent and industrious. Khan said corruption was not restricted to financial fraud but included practices such as laxity.

Professor Iqbal Zafar said positivity was a prerequisite to prosperity. He said negativity provided the impetus for corruption in society. Zafar said Islam was a peaceful religion that provided a complete set of guidelines needed to lead a balanced life. He stressed the need for promoting a culture of speaking the truth in society.

Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation Director Asif Ali said there was a pressing need to establish the root causes of corruption. He said social scientists should strive to research in this area to enable the society to overcome the challenge.

Ali said distrust among citizens had exacerbated the problem. He said the office would try to formulate a comprehensive strategy to eradicate corruption.

Senior Tutor Aslam Pervez said it was imperative to reform attitudes to bring about social change. He said it was disturbing that the upright were hard pressed to make ends meet while the delinquent lived in enviable affluence. Pervez said attitudes could be successfully reformed by publicising Islamic teachings.

Publications and Public Relations Principal Officer Jalal Arif said corruption was a universal phenomenon that compromised development. He said the media played a crucial role in exposing and preventing corruption by facilitating a transparent flow of information.

Faisalabad Arts Council Director Tariq Javed urged educational institutions to raise awareness regarding the adverse consequences of corruption.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2014.