December 10, 2006	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 18, 1427

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LAHORE, Dec 9: Administrative, economic and political structure of the country was described as the root-cause of corruption at a seminar on Review of Corruption Efforts in Pakistan held here on Saturday in connection with the World Anti-Corruption Day.

Senator S.M.Zafar said that all the governments had been promulgating laws for controlling corruption but ended in relying on it to remain in power. Most important thing in the anti-corruption laws was that these should apply to everyone. The evil would thrive if there were exemptions. Uncertainty on account of adhocism also contributed to corruption.

He said that Pakistan was in the sway of a continuous tsunami of corruption, which started from rehabilitation and settlement after its birth. Discretionary powers required to be abolished at every level because even a little discretion could be misused in conditions of uncertainty. He said that credibility of the National Accountability Bureau was at stake due to being selective.

He said that entire society would have to rise against corruption because societies denying the existence of God could survive but unjust and corrupt societies were not viable. The poor suffered more on account of corruption than the rich.

Punjab Citizen Police Liaison Committee Chairman Justice Asif Jan (retired) said that effective corruption control was not possible without a change in the mindset because the desire was born in the mind, which was above procedural level. He said that the anti-corruption agencies had failed to meet the expectations of the people. A number of corrupt people were sitting in the government because the NAB efforts were not even handed.

He said that the corrupt in the judiciary were well known but it was considered a sacred cow and the Supreme Judicial Council had not taken up even a single case against any. He said anti-corruption efforts were required to be concentrated on checking misuse of power. Special courts were required to be wound up because these had failed to deliver and did not enjoy the confidence of the people. Even NAB courts were known as kangaroo courts.

Former Supreme Court judge Dr Javid Iqbal said that pay structure of the government employees was required to be made realistic to curb corruption among them.