PESHAWAR, Dec 4: In an effort to curb low-level corruption, the National Accountability Bureau has set up a special wing which has the powers to raid and search premises.

Addressing a press conference in connection with the World Anti-Corruption Day at the Media Centre here on Monday, the acting NWFP director-general of NAB, Brig Musadiq Abbasi, said the special wing, comprising inspection teams and rapid reaction squads, started working on Aug 1.

He said the NWFP government had taken a lead by deciding to observe a week — from Dec 4 to 9 — as an anti-corruption week. NWFP establishment secretary Mian Sahib Jan, provincial higher education secretary Tariq Jamil and other officials were present on the occasion.

Brig Abbasi said the aforesaid wing would have the powers to check the quality of material used in all ongoing development projects in the province. It would also be looking into project funds accounts, accounts of various government departments, their performance, suspected corruption in them, delay in projects and their causes, besides arresting those accused of irregularities.

To a proposal from newsmen, Mr Abbasi said the NWFP chapter of the NAB would set up complaint desks at the city district government office during the week, where NAB officials would receive complaints against district government officials or about any petty corruption cases from the public.

He said the NWFP government in collaboration with the NAB would observe the week in an effort to create awareness against corruption.

He said that debates and talk shows would be held at ICMS on Dec 5, and at IMS on Dec 6, while the Peshawar district government would arrange a walk on Dec 7. A seminar would be held on Dec 8. Pamphlets would also be distributed.

He said that similar activities would be organised at the district level in schools and colleges and in the tribal areas by the Fata secretariat. He urged the media to help create awareness among the masses about the menace of corruption.

Earlier, Mr Jan pointed out the federal government would observe Dec 9 as the anti-corruption day, but the NWFP government had decided to observe the whole week to create awareness among the masses about corruption. He urged the people to help the government in curbing corruption.