KARACHI, Dec 5: The National Accountability Bureau has urged all public and private sector universities to organise programmes against corruption on their campuses to observe December 9 as the ‘Anti-corruption Day’.

According to sources, the NAB wants the higher education institutions to raise public awareness of the menace by holding such events on that day. The Anti-corruption Day is observed since 2003 when the UN Convention Against Corruption was first opened for signing in Merida, Mexico.

It is learnt that Pakistan, included in the list of 140 signatories of the UN Convention, is yet to ratify the convention which upholds that corruption undermines democratic institutions, retards economic development and contributes to government instability.

The NAB is of the view that elimination of corruption depends on public awareness and rejection of corrupt practices by masses who should take the lead in promoting the cause and theme of the Anti-corruption Day.

Meanwhile, universities have started planning for the observance of the day. However, some universities doubt participation of the desired number of students and teachers in such programmes owing to the semester break, ongoing examinations or winter vacation, said a source.

Media cell of the Jinnah University for Women is planning a seminar to be held on December 7 to mark the day.