Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Before a crowd of more than 300, including parliamentarians from different political parties, diplomats, government officials, media and citizens, SaqibZafar, Commissioner, Bahawalpur Division was named Pakistan’s 2nd Integrity Idol here on Wednesday.

While addressing the ceremony,SaqibZafarexpressed his pride by saying, “Satisfaction comes from serving people and the respect of every human being comes first. This prize means everything to me because it comes from the Pakistani people. My message to young people in this country is to join the civil service and serve with honesty – you will win respect.”

Federal Minister for Education & Professional TrainingBaleeghurRahman, who was the chief guest at the event, applauded the efforts of the Accountability Lab. “Integrity Idol is a one of its kind contest which will help bring transparency and integrity to the public sector and ensure good governance across our country,” he said.

He congratulated all five nominees and this year’s winner saying, “These Integrity Idols are role-models for all of us.”

Pakistan BaitulMaalformer managing director Zamurd Khan said that the country can only progress if politicians become role models. He further said that serious efforts were needed to stop corruption and malpractices at national level and every one needed to take part in this.

“We saw incredible energy today from the people of Pakistan who have truly shown that they support and want to celebrate honest leaders,”Pakistan Accountability Lab Board Chairman Brig (r) MusaddiqAbbasi, who was also present at the event, said. “I encourage everyone in Pakistan to join us in this effort to ‘name and fame’ those who uphold the Pakistani values of honesty, integrity and accountability.”

Integrity Idol is a citizen-run movement to identify and celebrate upstanding government officials. Originating in Nepal in 2014, Integrity Idol has since evolved into a global movement in Nepal, Liberia, Pakistan, Mali and Nigeria. In each country, local Accountability Lab teams run a nation-wide campaign to identify and encourage civil servants who demonstrate exemplary integrity in their work. Officials are nominated by and voted upon by the public at-large, with the annual campaign culminating in an award ceremony to celebrate the finalists. In addition to promoting honesty in government nationwide and year round, Integrity Idol elevates positive role models and sparks important discussions at the community, national and international levels about the importance of integrity and personal responsibility.

Published in Daily Times, February 8^th 2018.