The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), in connection with the observance of International Anti-Corruption Day, organized an anti-corruption awareness walk in Islamabad today, spearheaded by NAB Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The walk's objective was to raise public awareness regarding the consequences of corruption and to highlight the commitment to promoting transparency.
The dignified walk was led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Chairman NAB, Lieutenant General (Retd) Nazir Ahmad, and the Director General NAB (Islamabad/Rawalpindi), Waqar Ahmad Chauhan.
The event saw participation from members of all walks of life, including prominent politicians, Members of the Parliament, diplomats, senior government officials (bureaucrats), a delegation from the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Ulema-e-Karam, leadership of the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Business Chambers, leading members of civil society, media representatives, students, and senior NAB officers and officials.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq lauded NAB's efforts, stating that due to NAB's reformative policy, the fear and intimidation associated with the institution have ended, and the confidence of the public, business community, politicians, and officials in the institution has been restored.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the participation of individuals from all sectors of life, especially the business, political, and media circles, in the walk.
The Speaker further stated that over the past two and a half years, NAB, through internal institutional reforms and the cooperation of federal and provincial governments, has made extraordinary recoveries, which is commendable.
Praising NAB's efforts, the Speaker remarked that NAB has provided redressal to the people by returning their looted money, thereby restoring people's confidence in accountability and justice.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq stressed that corruption is a deadly poison that hollows out the economic and social foundations of any country. It is the biggest hurdle in the path of the nation's progress and prosperity. He stated that the government is fully committed to the complete elimination of corruption, and all institutions, including NAB, receive full cooperation in performing their duties effectively in this regard.
Chairman NAB, Lieutenant General (Retd) Nazir Ahmad, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming turnout and support of the participants. He stated that NAB is making every possible effort to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
He emphasized that today's walk is proof that the entire nation desires to get rid of this menace. "We appeal to the public to stand against corruption and strengthen the hands of NAB."
He praised the cooperation extended by the federal and provincial governments, stating that the dream of a transparent system can only be realized through mutual cooperation among institutions.
Highlighting the institution's performance over the last two and a half years, the Chairman NAB stated that it is our national and moral duty to reform ourselves to provide clean and transparent environment to our families, society and country.
The Chairman further revealed that this year, NAB has returned looted money amounting to Rs. 164 billion to over 70,000 individuals, and over the last three years, NAB has returned Rs. 207 billion to more than 131,500 individuals.
On this occasion, DG NAB (Rawalpindi/Islamabad) Waqar Ahmad Chauhan thanked all participants and stated that corruption is not a problem for one institution or individual; it is a shared problem of the entire nation. "Today's awareness walk is a symbol of this collective resolve and solidarity that we all stand together against this cancer."
Victims of various housing schemes and financial irregularities expressed their confidence in NAB at the event, saying that the return of the amounts recovered by NAB has truly redressed their grievances.
Participants of the walk welcomed NAB's awareness campaign to prevent and eliminate corruption among the public. They assured the government and NAB of their full cooperation in this regard.
