Amraiz Khan
Additional Chief Secretary Punjab, Mrs Irum Bukhari paid a visit to the office anti-graft body – Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on Tuesday and review its performance.
ACE DG Muhammed Gohar Nafees welcomed and briefed the ACE on achievements made during a short span of time including retrieval of billions of rupees land, trap raids, special campaign against illegal petrol pumps, cases of petty and mega corruption and recent report on commercial shops owned by the Punjab government across the province.
While briefing Irum Bukhari who also happens to be the administrative Secretary of Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment, the DG informed that there are approximately 58,000 state-owned commercial shops and its rent if collected according to the market rate, would be around Rs10 billion per annum. He said there is a dire need to reassess the rent rate as government is merely collecting Rs3 billion as per the existing rate.
He stressed the need for immediate posting against 25% vacant posts in the ACE for its effective and smooth functioning.
He said the establishment is functioning under an Ordinance of 1961 which needs to be reviewed and revamped. He stressed that a more prudent and stronger legislation is required to enhance the ACE performance.
On the occasion, Mrs Irum Bukhari lauded the ACE DG for the wonderful performance of the investigation agency.
She said that ACE has done a great job in spreading awareness about corruption and taking up multiple corruption related cases.
She assured her all out support for resolution of staff shortage and legislation issues of the ACE. She said that everybody knows that there is zero tolerance policy against corruption in its all manifestations.
