Anti-corruption dept arrests Lower Dir collector for financial fraud

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Corruption Department has arrested a collector in Lower Dir tehsil, for financial irregularities in Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA). A case has also been registered against the district officer.

Action was taken by the department after receiving complaints of embezzlement of government funds, and irregularities in the tendering of bus stand, the Anti-Corruption Department Spokesperson told media on Sunday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to revive anti-corruption authority

He said that the accused allegedly caused a loss of Rs14.8 million to the government treasury. An FIR has been registered in light of the inquiry report. The FIR also includes name of three collectors, two Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMO), a Tehsil Nazim and a contractor, the spokesperson said.

Efforts are underway to arrest other accused named in the FIR, he added.

KP INTENSIFIES ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION

Earlier this month, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued directives for new legislation to restructure the Anti-Corruption Establishment and to crackdown against corrupt elements without discrimination.

The chief minister directed to finalise the proposed ‘Anti-Corruption Force Act’, which will replace the current Anti-Corruption Establishment with an “Anti-Corruption Authority”. The provincial government also approved the establishment of ‘anti-corruption force’.

This anti-corruption force will have six regional and two sub-regional offices, and its mandate will to function as an effective and comprehensive tool to combat white-collar crimes. During the meeting, it was said that the establishment of this force will help in increasing the current two per cent conviction rate to 80 per cent.

Moreover, registration of false complaints and malpractice in investigation will also be punished. Witnesses will be protected and there will be a solid accountability system within the force.

PAKISTAN SLIPS ON CORRUPTION INDEX

On Tuesday, Transparency International released its annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI), showing that Pakistan has dropped two points as compared to last year’s ranking. From being ranked 133 out of total 180 countries, in 2023, the 2024 index now ranks Pakistan at 135.

Pakistan slips further on corruption index

The index awards scores to countries on numerous factors, with 0 being highly corrupt and 100 being not corrupt at all. In this year’s ranking, Pakistan has obtained 27 points – down from 29 in 2023.