ACC to form taskforce to monitor relief embezzlement investigation

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will form a special committee or taskforce to monitor investigations against relief material embezzlement.

The ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood confirmed the matter to the media on Tuesday.

"The commission has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to stop corruption in relief distribution," said the ACC chairman.

He made the remarks after receiving a special intelligence report on allegations of corruption, progress in case investigations and the overall situation, including the arrest of accused.

The intelligence unit of the ACC apprised the chairman about their month-long activities from April 12 to May 11 through the report.

The anti-graft watchdog has so far filed 15 cases in different districts on charges of misappropriating government relief material and money from the government's social security programme.

Several people have also been arrested over irregularities.

According to the report, 15 cases were filed from April 12 to May 11 against chairmen, members and secretaries of different union parishads for various irregularities and corruption in food-related activities under the government's social security programme.

The cases are being investigated.

Expressing satisfaction on the overall activities of the ACC, Iqbal Mahmood said, "ACC officials are carrying out their responsibilities by risking their lives, which is commendable, but all those involved in such crimes must be punished and no one will be spared."