ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Pakistanis to help build a transparent and accountable society in the South Asian country, his office said on Monday, on the International Anti-Corruption Day.
The day is observed on December 9 each year since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on October 31, 2003, to raise public awareness about how corruption threatens the stability and security of societies.
In his message, Sharif said corruption was a corrosive element that undermined economic development and destroyed the social fabric of societies, robbing nations of their potential and people of the benefits of fair governance and equal opportunities.
“I urge all Pakistanis to play their role in our quest for a corruption-free future. Let us stand together, united in our resolve to build a Pakistan where public resources are utilized efficiently for the welfare of our people,” Sharif said in a statement issued from his office.
“Let us work together for a future where rule of law prevails and where accountability is the bedrock for all.”
Last year, the Transparency International 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) showed that Pakistan had improved its score, moving seven spots from 140 in 2022 to 133 in 2023.
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories around the globe by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, scoring on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Sharif said this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” rightly highlighted the important role that Pakistan’s youth could play in the fight against corruption.
“Our younger generation deserves a future where they can thrive free from corruption,” he said. “Today, Pakistan joins the international community to renew our commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability for now and for our future generations.”
Pakistan PM calls for building transparent society as world marks International Anti-Corruption Day
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Pakistan PM calls for building transparent society as world marks International Anti-Corruption Day
- Last year, Pakistan improved its score on Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, moving seven spots up
- Sharif urges all Pakistanis to work together for a future where rule of law prevails and accountability is bedrock for all
Pakistan defense minister discusses regional, global developments with counterparts in Munich
- The high-powered meeting of government leaders, diplomats comes shortly before Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its fifth gruelling year
- Bruised by President Donald Trump’s comments, European leaders at summit have pledged to shoulder more of the burden of shared defenses
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday met his Italian and Albanian counterparts to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional and global developments on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the Pakistani embassy in Germany said.
The high-powered Munich meeting of government leaders, diplomats, defense and intelligence chiefs comes shortly before Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine is set to enter its fifth gruelling year.
Bruised by President Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland and his often hostile comments about America’s traditional bedrock allies, European leaders at the conference have pledged to shoulder more of the burden of shared defenses.
Asif met his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto during the conference, running from Feb. 13 till Feb. 15, with both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral ties, according to the Pakistani embassy.
“Asif met the Defense Minister of Republic of Albania, Mr. Pirro Vengu, on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference,” the Pakistani embassy said on X.
“Discussed matters related to enhancing bilateral cooperation in the wake of recent regional and international developments.”
The development came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to address European leaders on Saturday as they try to step up their autonomy in defense while salvaging transatlantic ties badly strained under President Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged a “rift” had opened up between Europe and the United States, fueled by culture wars, but issued an appeal to Washington: “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”
“In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone,” said the conservative leader, who has ramped up defense spending in the top EU economy.
Macron said a new framework was needed to deal with “an aggressive Russia” once the fighting in Ukraine ends.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been in Munich since Friday and meeting multiple allies, was expected to address the meeting on Saturday. No Russian officials have been invited.
Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky said he feared “a new cold war” between Europe and Russia in the coming decade, making reopening dialogue with Moscow essential.
“If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to talk,” said Merz, but he also charged that “Russia is not yet willing to talk seriously.”
