Anti-Corruption Department of Rawalpindi in collaboration with Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) organised a seminar on anti-corruption during Anti-Corruption Week celebrated in Rawalpindi on Monday. The seminar was attended by a large number of citizens’ and speakers including Anti-Corruption Regional Director Arif Rahim, Additional Deputy Commissioner Saima Younas and SSDO Director Syed Kausar Abbas. Speaking at the occasion, Arif Rahim said that the anti-corruption department has launched an awareness campaign in collaboration with SSDO 10 months ago, and in 10 months, the department has received over 1,200 complaints through campaign. The department has scrutinised the complaints and 619 complaints were considered for further inquiry. Out of 619 complaints, 214 were against revenue department, over 100 against local government and 37 against police department. The department is taking strict actions against the corrupt officials and few were caught red handedly from their offices through trap raids. Syed Kausar Abbas said that the department is doing its best to reduce corruption from public offices. The SSDO is supporting the campaign to create awareness among citizens. The campaign includes community activities, rickshaw campaign, seminars with youth and public offices, banners and walks in Rawalpindi. He said that corruption can be addressed by using Right to Information laws in public offices that ensures transparency and openness in public offices. Pakistan is at #117 in the international index of corruption that is shameful for the country and as well as its citizens. Every citizen needs to play active role in addressing the issues of corruption. Saima Younus said that the public offices of Rawalpindi believes in transparency and supports the campaign anticorruption to address the issues of corruption. Published in Daily Times, December 11th 2018.