Corrupts have to face the law: ACC chairman

Corrupts have to face the law and will get severe punishment even if they escape abroad to avoid consequences, said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Iqbal Mahmood.  

He was replying to queries of mass media activists at a virtual press conference at the ACC office on Sunday.  

Iqbal said, "Anti-corruption campaigns will not be influenced by anyone's personal, social, professional, religious or any other identity."  

Some 86% of the people in the country have expressed their confidence in the ACC, according to a survey titled "Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer Asia 2020".  

In this regard, Iqbal said, "The ACC always reviews such reports seriously. I think the responsibility of the ACC towards the people has increased, and it should be made sustainable."  

He continued, "The ACC has to carry out its responsibilities with uninterrupted transparency and accountability. To realise the aspirations of the people, there is no alternative but to thoroughly identify, investigate, and prosecute corruption."

"I can say with confidence that in the last five years or so, we tried to satisfy the aspirations of the people while carrying out our duties. We did not care about the person. Rather, we prioritised the type of crime, its level and the existing laws and regulations."

Replying to another question, the ACC chairman said, "We admit that there is bribery and corruption in government services. However, we have taken multidimensional measures to stop bribery and corruption. The commission is conducting a campaign almost every day to prevent corruption at the grassroots level." 

In the last five years, a number of bribe receivers have been arrested with bribes. Some of them are also being tried in judicial courts, added the ACC chairman.

He said that efforts were underway to raise the voice of the people at the grassroots level through public hearings.  

"By avoiding the constitutional obligation of government employees to provide services, some of them are getting involved in criminal offences like bribery. They will face bad consequences," said Iqbal.   

The people show intense hatred towards corrupts. So, they have expressed their confidence in the ACC, he added.