08 December 2003 04:29
Pak-Russia agree for cooperation against corruption
ISLAMABAD, Dec 08 : Pakistan and Russia Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join hands for
elimination of corruption.Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the
Russian Federation S.V Stepashin signed the MoU of cooperation on behalf of their respective governments here at NAB
office.The MoU covers the globally accepted broader principles of accountability, transparency and anti-corruption as
regulated by the International Organizations of Supreme Audit Institution (ASOSAI). The signed MoU between the both
governments comprised 11 articles that shall regulate exchange of experience in the field of improvement of methodology
of state financial control and eradication of corruption, besides other financial irregularities.It would include mutual
exchange of information on improvement of professional personnel management standards, documentation of economy,
information sharing on joint audits, combating corruption and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA).Both parties committed to
proclaim their intentions to develop bilateral relations within the framework of INTOSAI and ASSOSAI.The Accounts
Chamber of Russian Federation is the supreme accountability body of Russia that exercises control and audit over timely
execution of the state revenue and expenditure items of the Russian federal budget in terms of its monetary structure
and legal applications.It combines institutional functions of what we havein Pakistan with reference to the financial
accountability functions of Auditor General's Office, National Accountability Bureau and Public Accounts
Committee.The said Chamber also wields control over organs of the Russian President's Office and the government
ministries/bodies, which are supposed to cooperate with the Accounts Chamber whenever required under the Law.While
speaking with the journalists, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation S.V Stepashin said that they
have formed Anti-Corruption Council in Russia and the important part of this agreement is to exchange of experiences
including training of personnel and most important is that this is the joint effort of two countries to root out
corruption.He said that Pakistan has done commendable job in eradicating corruption and Russian can learn a lot from
their experiences.To a query he told that Russian has a traditional work of law enforcement agencies but there was not
suchspecific council or body to eliminate corruption. Stepashin said that they are also facing same problems of
corruption like Pakistan adding that this agreement will help to eliminate corruption in both the countries.Responding
to another query, he replied that there would be no difference of investigation for anybody and who will be found guilty
get punishment. "We have started taking steps against the corrupt elements of the society and there is
investigation going on against a man who has wealth of US$8 billion," he further said.Speaking on the occasion,
Chairman NAB Lt. Gen Munir Hafiz said that corruption is not the regional issue it is an international issue. Pakistan
has played a very important role in eliminating the corruption, he added.Commenting about the agreement, he said that
both Russia and Pakistan will get benefit from each other's experiences and will join hands to eradicate
corruption.
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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