RAWALPINDI
President urges public servants to commit to good governance
ISLAMABAD, Dec 08 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari called upon all public servants, professionals and citizens to reaffirm their commitment to honesty and good governance as the collective resolve to uphold integrity will strengthen Pakistan’s institutions and support the path towards stability and growth.
In a message on International Anti-Corruption Day, he said, “Today, Pakistan joins the international community in observing the United Nations’ International Anti Corruption Day. The UN General Assembly set this day in 2003 to mark the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and to draw global attention to the damage corruption causes to societies and economies. It also reminds us that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility of governments, civil society, media and citizens.”
“Corruption undermines public trust, weakens institutions and diverts resources away from people who need them most. It slows development, erodes confidence in the rule of law and affects the delivery of essential public services. For a country to progress, its institutions must be strong, impartial and guided by fairness,” he added.
“Pakistan has taken steps over the years to strengthen its accountability framework. Public funds have been recovered in cases involving misuse of authority, financial fraud and illegal occupation of state land. These efforts have brought relief to many affected individuals and helped restore assets to public and private organisations,” he said adding, “Such results show what can be achieved when institutions act with integrity and stay focused on their legal mandate.”
The President said, “At the same time, accountability bodies must earn public respect and public confidence by remaining apolitical, avoiding discrimination and ensuring that their actions are guided only by fair play. Transparency, professionalism and ethical conduct are essential for credibility. Institutions that uphold these principles not only prevent corruption but also reinforce the public’s faith in the state.”
He wished all organisations working for transparency and accountability continued success in their efforts for a fair and corruption free Pakistan.
PM reaffirms Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate corruption thru effective measures, dedication
ISLAMABAD, Dec 8 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on 9th December, Pakistan joined the international community in marking the ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’, and renewed its resolve to eliminate corruption, making all the efforts in this regard even more robust.
In a message on the observance of International Anti-Corruption Day, he said the day was being observed under the theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, and reiterated that taking concrete measures against financial corruption was among the government’s top priorities.
In this regard, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and all other relevant institutions were working vigorously and diligently to ensure accountability at every level, including administrative, financial and institutional, he added.
The prime minister said the theme of the day underscored the significance of ending this menace through a comprehensive approach and the participation of people of all ages.
“Our youth are the most precious asset and the guarantee for a peaceful, prosperous and developed future,” PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister a saying.
In the modern age, he said the nature and methods of corruption were rapidly evolving; therefore, involving young people in its prevention could play an effective role in eradicating the social evil.
The prime minister observed that the financial corruption weakened the foundations of national development, social diversity and the economy, besides eroding public trust.
“International Anti-Corruption Day also provides an opportunity for the people across the globe to discourage the harmful social impacts of corruption and to reaffirm their commitment to creating a corruption-free society,” he stressed.
The prime minister further said that the financial corruption not only weakened the national governance but also impacted the daily lives of citizens, social justice and equality, economic development and the fundamental principles of a welfare state.
He further commended NAB’s legal actions against financial corruption and its efforts to safeguard national resources and its initiatives to raise awareness among the youth regarding anti-corruption.
The timely redressal of citizens’ grievances, deprived of their money due to organized financial crimes, had further strengthened public trust in NAB, he opined.
At the global level, the prime minister said Pakistan was actively engaged in effective cooperation to ending this social evil.
Under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Pakistan’s cooperation with various countries and the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on mutual legal assistance were part of the global partnership, he added.
The prime minister stressed for renewal of pledge to taking every possible step with unity and shared purpose and for the completion of the dream of a transparent, just and prosperous Pakistan.
“Together with the federal and provincial governments, as well as all with the involvement of the all segments and leaders of the society, we will continue the struggle against corruption with even effectiveness,” he added.
UN chief slams Israeli raid on UNRWA compound
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 08 (APP): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned an Israeli raid on the occupied East Jerusalem compound of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, earlier on Monday.
“This compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference,” the UN chief said in a statement read out by his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
“I urge Israel to immediately take all necessary steps to restore, preserve, and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises and to refrain from taking any further action with regard to UNRWA premises,” he said.
Earlier, Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of UNRWA, said that Israeli police, along with municipal officials, forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem.
“Police motorcycles, as well as trucks and forklifts, were brought in and all communications were cut. Furniture, IT equipment and other property was seized. The UN flag was pulled down and replaced with an Israeli flag,” Lazzarini said in a statement.
He added that any actions taken by Israel do not affect the compound’s status as a UN site, which is immune to interference.
In his reaction, Guterres, the UN chief, added, “I strongly condemn today’s unauthorized entry into the United Nations Sheikh Jarrah compound held by UNRWA located in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. This compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference.
“As recently confirmed by the International Court of Justice, any executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action against United Nations property and assets is prohibited under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. “