Pakistan has urged the world to work together for effective implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption.
“Pakistan has strong commitment to implement the UNCAC through pro-active anti-corruption strategy that will help a lot in eliminating the corrupt practices in comity of nations,” said NAB Director General Husnain Ahmad while making effective interventions at the Ninth session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) recently concluded at Sharm El Shaikh, Egypt. On the directives of NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal, Husnain Ahmad was heading the Pakistani delegation in the COSP to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The NAB DG made appropriate/effective interventions at the main sessions of the event i.e. Implementation status of UNCAC, Prevention, Asset Recovery and Technical Assistance. Pakistani delegation also actively participated in side events of the COSP, 2021.
The NAB Director General strongly underscored Pakistan’s stance in a panel discussion arranged by China, i.e. “Honour our commitments to strengthen international anti-corruption cooperation, and deny safe havens to the corrupt and the proceeds of corruption”.
He emphasized that the comity of nations should work together to eliminate the safe heavens in the global village for effective implementation of the UNCAC. Liaquat Ali Warriach, from Permanent Mission of Pakistan, Vienna, Austria, and Sajid Bilal, Ambassador of Pakistan, Egypt, were also in attendance on the occasion. The Conference is one of the world’s largest anti-corruption gatherings and brings together people from the member states, parliaments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector. Representatives from more than 180 state parties participated in the event.
The Conference had reviewed the implementation of the UNCAC, the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument and discussed preventing corruption, improved international cooperation to better tackle corruption and asset recovery. Pakistan’s statement was delivered by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The Pakistani delegation actively participated in all the events/sessions of the COSP, 2021, its main Plenary as well as side events arranged by the State Parties to the UNCAC.
NAB DG Husnain Ahmad tabled Pakistan’s strong commitment to implement the UNCAC through pro-active anti-corruption strategy and made appropriate/effective interventions at the main sessions of COSP, 2021. The Pakistani delegation remained firm to their stance while drafting and subsequent adoption of the Resolutions made in the CoSP, 2021. Pakistan remained co-sponsors in the number of Resolutions adopted by CoSP, 2021.
The Pakistani delegation had also held bilateral meetings with the heads of sister agencies of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Sri Lanka, Australia and USA to discuss the bilateral issues on mutual cooperation in the fight against menace of corruption, exchange of information regarding fugitive and recovery and repatriation of stolen assets through international cooperation. The presence of Pakistani delegation specially the Director General, NAB, was much acknowledged and appreciated even though the international media preferred to cover the Pakistani delegation. Accordingly, selected the Head of Pakistani delegation for interview and wide coverage of print & electronic media was given to the Head of Pakistani delegation and its interview, wherein, the DG NAB not only highlighted excellent performance of NAB under the dynamic leadership of Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal but also emphasized the proactive efforts by all states parties for recovery and repatriation of stolen assets from safe heavens to the victim of corruption.
Moreover, the Director General NAB had a very fruitful discussion during a sideline meeting with the Dean of International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) on the issue of capacity building of workforce of anti-corruption agencies of Pakistan especially NAB.
The Conference of states parties ended on the strong note of commitment by all the State Parties to the UNCAC and adopted a number of Resolutions on different issues/challenges while implementing the UNCAC.
