Anti-corruption dept to introduce legal reforms, train investigators

Sindh Anti-Corruption Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar on Wednesday announced anti-corruption reforms and crackdown on corrupt elements. Officials said that the provincial anti-corruption department has decided to introduce legal reforms, take action against elements deceiving the public, and provide training to prosecutors and investigators.

During an introductory session of the anti-corruption department he chaired, Mahar said that steps would be taken to fill all the vacant positions in the department, including inspectors, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and 400 constables, through the Sindh Public Service Commission.

He instructed the officers to expedite action against corrupt officials. He emphasised that no leniency would be shown towards corrupt officers, and immediate action would be taken on the complaints received against them.

He stressed that the officers need to hold regular sessions to handle corruption cases, and conduct awareness seminars, walks and large-scale campaigns against corruption within their respective zones. He urged them to work on merit.

He directed them to adopt a professional attitude towards the public, and not to harass anyone. He emphasised the need to improve the performance of the department, and warned them that any officer involved in misconduct or illegal activities would be held accountable.

During the briefing, Anti-Corruption Chairman Farhat Junejo said that since 2018, at least 329 surprise visits and raids have been conducted, resulting in the arrest of 59 government officials for accepting bribes.

These raids were conducted in various locations, including Karachi’s South, East and West districts, as well as Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana. Junejo said that 775 corruption cases were registered in nine zones in Sindh, leading to the conviction of 66 officers.