ISLAMABAD, April 25: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will help Pakistan in brining back its plundered wealth deposited in off-shore banks by the looters, chief crime conventions section of the UNODC, Mr Dimitri Vlassis told Dawn.

Mr Vlassis, who had come to Pakistan to participate in the recently-concluded three-day international conference on the UN Convention Against Corruption, said that so far seven countries, including Kenya, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameron and Mexico, had ratified the UN convention and it had to be ratified at least by a total of 30 countries, and then it would be implemented. "The implementation of the document would take 12 to 18 months," he added.

In reply to a question, he lauded the role of Pakistan in preparing the convention document by actively participating in all meetings and giving fruitful suggestions.

"The new UN convention has enormous significance as it manifests the realization that the world of the 21st Century needs new rules to become a better place for all peoples.

It demonstrates that core values, such as respect for the rule of law, probity, accountability, integrity and transparency must be safeguarded and promoted as the bedrock of development for all," he said.

The convention, he said, offers all countries a comprehensive set of standards, measures and rules that they could apply to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes to prevent and control corruption.

"It includes a comprehensive chapter on preventive measures, which are intended to cover both the public and private sectors, in recognition of the multi-disciplinary approach that is necessary to fight corruption," he added.

The UNODC official said a number of governments, which remained very active during the negotiation process, recently formed an informal group of friends of the convention to seek ways to keep the momentum alive. "We should support them and encourage them in pursuing that direction," he added.