ACC chief for identifying reasons behind graft

Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Iqbal Mahmood yesterday stressed the need for identifying the reasons behind the widespread corruption to effectively fight the social menace in the country.

"Only arresting graft suspects and sending them to jail could not be a corruption investigation. But the reasons behind corruption should be identified and included in probe reports," he said.

The ACC chief made the remark during a meeting with a delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the Commission's head office in the capital.

UNODC Anti-corruption Adviser (South-East Asia and Pacific Zone) Zorana Marcovic led the delegation.

When the reasons behind the corruption can be identified, the way to establish good governance will be easier and thus corruption will come under control, said Iqbal Mahmood.

He said although the national anti-graft agency has some innovative initiatives in its prevention activities, there is no innovative thinking in its investigation and prosecution.

The ACC chairman sought UNODC's help to complete its probes into graft allegations with the timeframe set by the Commission's rules and regulations.

"We just started relations with the UNODC. We seek cooperation from all national and international agencies in increasing our capacity," he said.

Zorana Marcovic assured that UNODC will provide all the necessary supports to the ACC to train its staff if they get specific and constructive proposals from the ACC.