Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Pakistan’s Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar has emphasised the importance of collective efforts such as capacity building, intelligence sharing, and mutual legal assistance to achieve a corruption-free future.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the Second OIC Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Corruption, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting these initiatives for enhanced accountability and integrity among OIC member states.
During the two-day meeting, hosted by Qatar at the Fairmont Doha, Pakistan signed the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention on Anti-Corruption. Azam Nazeer Tarar signed on the convention on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to Qatar for its hospitality and commended the country for its excellent arrangements.
In his address, Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s role as a co-sponsor of the resolution that initiated this important process and its pride in finalising the convention during its chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in 2022.
He reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of Israeli atrocities in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, calling for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and accountability for war crimes.
Tarar underscored corruption as a global menace that undermines economic growth, public trust, and the rule of law. He called for robust national frameworks, international cooperation, and adherence to anti-corruption standards.
He praised Saudi Arabia and the Maldives for their initiative to promote integrity in the tourism industry and reiterated Pakistan’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
“Today, Pakistan is honoured to sign the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” Tarar said, adding that the convention provides a solid framework for mutual legal assistance, information sharing, and capacity building among OIC member states.
Tarar also highlighted Pakistan’s proactive measures in combating corruption, including bilateral extradition treaties with 34 countries and MoUs with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Nigeria to strengthen cooperation under the UNCAC and OIC frameworks.
Pakistan’s active participation in networks like the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network, GlobE Network, and Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering further demonstrates its commitment to combating corruption, he concluded.
