Jan-Mar 2013 Volume XXVSecretary of Alfalah Society, Jauharabad, welcomed the participants and told...
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1 | Page Jan-Mar 2013 Volume XXV The Government can only have for its aim one objective – how to serve the people, how to devise ways and means for their welfare, for their betterment. What other object can the Government have? Quaid e Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah From the Editor’s Desk QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Anti Fraud Hotline 2 3 ALAC Pakistan Contact Us 5 8 Editor: Ms. Ayesha Shaikh Layout By: Ms. Twinkle Peter Inside this Issue TI-P Activities Jan-Mar 2013 Procurement Watch With the national elections looming in the picture, it appears to be the most rational and logical time to take stock of the political and social dilemmas that have continued to plague the Pakistani nation since its birth on August 14th, 1947. For a country established on the Quaid’s ideology of “equality of manhood and belief in fraternity, equality and liberty for all, the history of democracy in the country presents a dismal picture. Since the 1970 democratic elections held in the country to the upcoming elections of 2013, the ideal of a sovereign, free and truly democratic Pakistan continues to remain a distant dream. The true spirit of democracy and the ideals of the visionaries of Pakistan have been completely lost at the hands of the pervasive corruption that has seeped its way into the very fabric of the country’s society, culture, and politics. If one looks closely enough, the actual reason that has prevented democracy and the Rule of Law from truly flourishing in Pakistan has been the rampant corruption across all vital institutions of the country, including the public and private sector organizations that also find themselves conducting business in an environment riddled with unethical and illegal actions, and where kickbacks, bribery, extortion, and preferential treatment have become established norms. Corruption is the biggest threat to democracy in Pakistan today. It has undermined citizens’ trust in the rule of law with practices of political kickbacks, undeclared taxes and overseas bank accounts. The sorry state of affairs can be perceived from the fact that in the 66 years of the country’s independence, the government of President Zardari has been the first democratically elected government to have completed its five year tenure and the nation is looking forward to the rarity of a democratic transition not threatened by a military coup. As Pakistan finds itself at a crucial juncture, the prevalence of democracy, not just in name, but in its actual spirit and principle needs to be implemented. A non - corrupt, unbiased, dedicated, dynamic, and visionary democratic leadership is the need of the hour to regain the trust of the citizens and provide them with a forum that effectively listens to and solves their problems and instills the lost hope of a prosperous, secure, strong, and enlightened Pakistan.
Transcript of Jan-Mar 2013 Volume XXVSecretary of Alfalah Society, Jauharabad, welcomed the participants and told...
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Jan-Mar 2013
Volume XXV
The Government can only have for its aim one objective – how to serve the people, how to devise ways and means for their welfare, for their betterment. What other object can the Government have?
Quaid e Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah
From the Editor’s Desk
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Anti Fraud Hotline
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ALAC Pakistan
Contact Us
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Editor: Ms. Ayesha Shaikh Layout By: Ms. Twinkle Peter
Inside this Issue
TI-P Activities Jan-Mar 2013
Procurement Watch
With the national elections looming in the picture, it appears to be the most rational and logical time to take stock of the political and social dilemmas that have continued to plague the Pakistani nation since its birth on August 14th, 1947. For a country established on the Quaid’s ideology of “equality of manhood and belief in fraternity, equality and liberty for all, the history of democracy in the country presents a dismal picture. Since the 1970 democratic elections held in the country to the upcoming elections of 2013, the ideal of a sovereign, free and truly democratic Pakistan continues to remain a distant dream. The true spirit of democracy and the ideals of the visionaries of Pakistan have been completely lost at the hands of the pervasive corruption that has seeped its way into the very fabric of the country’s society, culture, and politics.
If one looks closely enough, the actual reason that has prevented democracy and the Rule of Law from truly flourishing in Pakistan has been the rampant corruption across all vital institutions of the country, including the public and private sector organizations that also find themselves conducting business in an environment riddled with unethical and illegal actions, and where kickbacks, bribery, extortion, and preferential treatment have become established norms.
Corruption is the biggest threat to democracy in Pakistan today. It has undermined citizens’ trust in the rule of law with practices of political kickbacks, undeclared taxes and overseas bank accounts.
The sorry state of affairs can be perceived from the fact that in the 66 years of the country’s independence, the government of President Zardari has been the first democratically elected government to have completed its five year tenure and the nation is looking forward to the rarity of a democratic transition not threatened by a military coup. As Pakistan finds itself at a crucial juncture, the prevalence of democracy, not just in name, but in its actual spirit and principle needs to be implemented. A non - corrupt, unbiased, dedicated, dynamic, and visionary democratic leadership is the need of the hour to regain the trust of the citizens and provide them with a forum that effectively listens to and solves their problems and instills the lost hope of a prosperous, secure, strong, and enlightened Pakistan.
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Transparency International is striving to curb the corruption in Public Sector. The corruption in most of the Government sector is due to the failure of transparent procurement process. Most of the Public sectors are being involved in corrupt practices which lead to loss in Nation’s economy.
Procurement Watch
Transparency International Pakistan has signed MOU with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on 3rd January, 2013. By signing MOU, BISP availed TI-Pakistan expertise to maintained complete transparency in procurement process.
In the start of the year 2013, many Public Sectors seek Transparency International Pakistan expertise and have signed Memorandum of Understanding for transparent procurement process.
MOU signed on 28th February, 2013 between Lahore Development Authority and Transparency International Pakistan for implementation of Integrity Pact and monitoring of tender process ensuring transparent procurement.
Transparency International Pakistan has also signed MOU with German Business Forum on 1st March, 2013 and with NADRA on 25th March, 2013.
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Anti-Fraud Hotline’s observed a steady operational trend this quarter, with over 4,000 answered calls that yielded over 350 complaints pertaining to projects funded by USAID. In this quarter a major workshop was conducted by Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration with USAID under Anti-Fraud Hotline program, in Islamabad Serena Hotel on the 28th of January 2013. The workshop was exclusively conducted to impart to the participants that were mainly implementing partners and sub grantees of USAID, the importance of preventing, detecting and reporting of fraud in USAID funded programs in Pakistan. The workshop was addressed by a panel of nine speakers, with an opening speech by the chief guest Mr. John Conly, Mission Director USAID/ Pakistan. The workshop was attended by over 150 participants from over 50 different organizations.
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Anti-Fraud Hotline cherished some major advancements in the open investigations that were triggered due to its reporting.
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Investigation Leads to Correction of Noncompliance. In mid-2012 OIG investigated allegations of conflicts of interest against a senior official of the Aurat Foundation, a Pakistani NGO implementing USAID’s Gender Equity Program. Investigation revealed that Aurat Foundation did not have a conflict-of-interest policy as required by its cooperative agreement with USAID. OIG notified USAID/Pakistan of this noncompliance, and the Aurat Foundation established the required policy in December 2012.
Head of Sindh Rural Support Organization, a Local USAID Implementing Partner resigned, following OIG Investigation. In December 2012, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) resigned in connection with a yearlong OIG investigation into reports of mismanagement, theft, and corruption in USAID funded projects. In May 2012, USAID proposed SRSO for debarment. A final decision on that matter is pending.
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As ALAC’s fifth year comes to a close, we reflect on our achievements and successes. In the last quarter of ALAC’s fifth year, 172 new clients were recorded in our database. The numbers of complaints generated by these clients were 217. The reason for the disparity between the number of clients and the complaints is simply because a client has made more than one complaint. Out of the complaints registered, 75 of them have been turned into cases. In these instances, ALAC has given legal advice to clients or written to the concerned authorities to resolve these matters. TI Pakistan is proud to say that in this quarter there were four successful cases and 24 partially successful ones.
To bring transparency and accountability in the public services and to fight corruption, ALAC has been working on the general awareness of the public on corruption as its advocacy plan. The general public does not know the vast, and sometimes complicated, definitions of corruption. They have misconceptions and ill-informed interpretations of it. More than ever before, it has become imperative that the correct picture of corruption is promoted to the general public, so that they can actively participate in rooting out this menace from society.
Through mass mobilization, further progress can be made to resolve major issues. In Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Balochistan provinces a number of kutcheries (communal gatherings), corner meetings and training workshops have taken place. In these gatherings, the people were told about the menace of corruption, how corrupt practices were affecting them and the future of their children and what to do about it. They were also enlightened with information gathered from our previous campaigns, specifically those related to ‘FIR awareness’ and ‘Ghost Schools’.
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In another corner meeting carried out by the same organization, the focus was on the children of the area. They were told about the importance of education and subsequently about the corruption in the education sector.
Mass Community Organization, Nankana (Punjab)
This one-day informal meeting was held on 19thFebruary 2013 and a total of round about 30 participants were gathered for it. Different people discussed what it meant to live in a corrupt society
Al Falah Society, Jauharabad (Punjab)
This one day seminar was held in Bambool village, Noorpur tehsil in Punjab with around 50 participants. Rang Ali Shah, the General Secretary of Alfalah Society, Jauharabad, welcomed the participants and told them about the objective of the gathering. Mr. Muhammad Tahir, an advocate, told the spectators that we are facing the worst type of corruption where without bribery government officials cannot even provide ordinary services to the common people. “This system is very deep rooted and is prevalent at all levels; from the clerk to the secretary, majority of them are involved in this evil,” he explained.
In this quarter, 21 events were organized by the ALAC. The details of some of these events are as follows:
According to Noor Din, Tehsil Coordinator CSN, Noorpur, our governance structure is centralized which promotes corruption. He went on to say, “Local government is the best form of governance which encourages the participation of people which ultimately reduces the chances of corruption.”
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Painting competition organized by ALAC (for more info visit http://www.alacpakistan.com/twu_competition.php
1st place: Summiaya Zahir (Class 7) from The Lyceum, Lahore (LGCS)
2nd place: Alisha Jabbar (Class 7) from Roots School System, Rawalpindi
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Also an Essay Competition was organized by ALAC in different universities. Following are the students of winning Essays.
3rd place: Muhammad Adeel Qureshi (Bachelors Media Studies and Communication) from Greenwich University, Karachi
2nd place: Siraj-ul-Haq (Department of Psychology) from University of Peshawar
1st place: Fatima Khalil (MS Islamic Banking and Finance) from The International Islamic University, Islamabad
3rd place: Huda Noman (Class 6) from International Islamic Grammar School, Islamabad
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Mr. Sohail Muzaffar visited Islamabad for signing of MOU between TI-Pakistan and BISP on 3rd January, 2013
Mr. Sohail Muzaffar and Mr. Adil Gilani had a meeting with Minister of Law and Justice & Finance Minister on 22nd January 2013
Mr. Saad Rashid attended Humanitarian Assistance Workshop at Nairobi, Kenya on 23rd to 25th January 2013
TI-Pakistan Participated in Policy Dialogue on “Role of Government and Regulators in the Gas Sector of Pakistan” at Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan on 30th January 2013.
Mr. Adil Gilani attended seminar as a Guest Speaker on “How to Control Corruption in Pakistan” organized by Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, in Seminar on” How to Control Corruption in Pakistan” on 31st Jan 2013
TI- Pakistan and USAID conducted a workshop on “"Fraud Awareness and prevention” 2013” in Islamabad on 30th Jan 2013.
TI- Pakistan conducted a seminar “Curbing Corruption in the Private Sector” on 8th February 2013 at Hotel Marriot.
Mr. John Conly, Mission Director of USAID Pakistan and Mr. Randy Hat Field visited TI-Pakistan office on 15th February 2013.
Mr. Adil Gilani and Mr. Sohail Muzaffar visited Punjab for signing of MOU between TIP and Lahore Development Authority on 28th February, 2013
Mr. Sohail Muzaffar and Mr. Saad Rashid and visited Karachi for signing of MOU between TI-Pakistan and German Business Forum on 1st March, 2013
Ms.Julie Belson and Mr.Shaukat Ali, from USAID visited TI-Pakistan office on 12th March, 2013
Mr. Saad Rashid presented a paper in the conference on Promoting Integrity and Accountability in Kathmandu Nepal on March 14-15, 2013
Mr. Sohail Muzaffar visited Karachi for signing of MOU between TI-Pakistan and NADRA on 25th March, 2013
Mr. Sohail Muzaffar visited Islamabad for signing of MOU between TI-Pakistan and NADRA on 25th March, 2013
TI-Pakistan ALAC Conducted a workshop on how to write a complaint at Karachi University on 28th March 2013
Contact Us Transparency International Pakistan 5-C, 2nd Floor, Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Phase VII, D.H.A. Karachi 92 21 3 5390408/9 Fax: 92 21 3 5390410 www.transparency.org.pk [email protected]
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Transparency International Pakistan Activities January ~ March 2013
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