ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has joined hands with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to support its ‘Say No to Corruption’ campaign.
The SECP organized an awareness session for its employees about the menace of corruption and its ill effects on society and national economy here Wednesday, according to press release issued by SECP.
The Chairman, SECP Zafar Hijazi also approved that the slogan “Say No
To Corruption” will be printed on all certificates issued by the Commission and displayed at all the SECP’s offices and Company Registration Offices (CROs).
Ms. Aliya Rashid, Director General, Awareness and Prevention (A&P), NAB, apprised the SECP’s employees on how they could play a role to fight and stop corruption. She informed them about that measures that the NAB had taken to prevent corruption.
She said that prevention of corruption requires a concerted effort by all state institutions.
All institutions have to work in unison to reduce the possibilities of corruption.
She analyzed the main causes of the scourge of corruption and said it was undermining the social and moral fabric of the nation.
If the nation is able to overcome the menace of corruption, the country would make much faster progress in all fields, she observed.
The anti-corruption education of people can contribute to laying the foundations of long-term changes.
Therefore, a balanced combination of enforcement, awareness and prevention strategies are more likely to defeat well-entrenched corrupt practices, she said.
Pakistan will lead the world in spreading hate message against corruption, she said, adding that the NAB’s effective and far-reaching awareness campaign is designed to target all segments of society in highlighting the ills of corruption.
She particularly emphasized on women to play their role in curbing corruption. They should adopt simplicity and not nab their husbands to acquire luxury goods which might be beyond their means, she advised.
On the NAB’s proposal, the State Bank of Pakistan has made it compulsory for all the banks to display the message ‘Say No to Corruption’ on all ATM screens. Through an arrangement, all the cinema screens across Pakistan also flashing the anti-corruption message after national anthem.
She informed the audience that Pakistan Post had issued a postage stamp of Rs 8, carrying the message “Say No to Corruption”.
All the utility bills, national identity cards, driving licenses, government’s tender notices are carrying the message, “Say No to Corruption”.
Recently, the newspapers in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan also started publishing the same message on their front pages.
She said that photographs of Pakistani cricket and hockey teams carrying the message “Say No to Corruption” has been released which has been appreciated internationally.
She said that a significant step is the formation of prevention committees in ministry of religious affairs and health departments. Similar committees are being formed in other departments.
Aliya Rashid said that the SECP is an apex regulator of capital market and its officers have an important role in maintaining transparency in corporate sector and stock market trading.
She advised them to be vigilant and do not succumb to any pressure while performing their duties.
Moreover, the SECP and NAB have agreed to create a joint task force comprising senior officers who will work on corruption cases referred to the NAB by SECP.
