ISLAMABAD: To create awareness amongst the general public, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Pakistan, has launched a campaign on “Say No to Corruption”. In order to create awareness amongst the general and smoking population of the country, the NAB has proposed to print this message on drugs, medicines and cigarette packs. In this context, a meeting was held on Wednesday chaired by the Secretary National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, While addressing the participants of the meeting the Director General Awareness & Prevention Division, NAB, Miss Aliya Rashid, gave a detailed presentation on “Say No to Corruption”. The meeting was attended by the officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations, DRAP, the heads of various tobacco companies, pharmaceutical companies and Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association. The DG NAB said that the major issues of developing countries was corruption with its manifestations as bribery, nepotism, embezzlement and misuse of authority, leading to socio economic problems. “In Pakistan we are under a higher threat from corruption. Therefore there is a need to encourage the people to stand up in the fight against corruption,” she said. She emphasised the government’s commitment and highlighted the nation’s resolve, to meet the future challenges and involve the people of the country in the fight against corruption. The National Accountability Bureau has intensified its campaign against the menace of corruption. Our slogan is “Say No to Corruption,” she stressed. Supporting the cause of creating awareness against the evils of corruption amongst the masses would go a long way in eradicating corruption in our country. The DG, NAB, talked about the various forms of corruption and how they were damaging the society and reminded the Quaid-e-Azam’s words that corruption is a poison and we must put it down with an iron hand. She also highlighted the initiatives taken by the NAB to create awareness amongst the general public through seminars, talks, books and advertisements. Aliya Rashid emphasised that all religions prohibit corruption. The DG, NAB, urged that every Pakistani realises that corruption was the mother of all ills. It had given birth to nepotism and favoritism, and had negated meritocracy, transparency and accountability. She added: “The most potent tool to effect radical changes can be our younger generation. Our passionate youth have all the vigour and the zeal to take Pakistan towards glory and excellence. We can, and we will, win this war”. She also mentioned steps taken by the National Accountability Bureau to curb corruption. For this, the slogan “Say No to Corruption” had been printed on postage stamps, utility bills, CNIC carrier papers, driving licences, ATM machines, railway tickets, postal envelopes, airport screens and newspapers of Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan as well, thus spreading the message to everyone. A story book “Gogi Says No to Corruption” and a colouring book for the primary level children have also been printed. The message “Say NO to Corruption” is also on display at all the cinema halls of the country. She said a large number of Pakistanis were cigarette smokers. Therefore cigarette packs can be a good source to spread the message “Say No to Corruption”. The cigarette packs already carry a public service message related to health and it has been learnt that the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination was working to redesign the cigarette packs. She requested that the message “Say No to Corruption” may also be written on cigarette packs, as well as medicine packings. In the end, the Secretary NHSRC constituted two different committees to discuss the display of “Say No to Corruption” message on medicine and cigarette packs.