DOHA: Pakistan on Wednesday formally signed the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention of the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for enhanced cooperation in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting corrupt practices, as well as recovering stolen assets.
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar hoped that the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention would serve as a catalyst for enhanced cooperation among the OIC member states.
The minister made these remarks while addressing the Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member States in Doha on Wednesday.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the people of Palestine, the minister strongly condemned the ongoing atrocities by Israel in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. He called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, provision of humanitarian assistance, and accountability for war crimes and genocide.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to combating corruption through collaboration and international cooperation, the minister emphasised the importance of collective action against corruption.
He remarked that corruption undermines economic growth, erodes public trust, and hampers efforts to eradicate poverty. Robust national frameworks, international cooperation, and adherence to anti-corruption standards are essential to address this global challenge.
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Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in the OIC’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly during Pakistan’s Chairmanship of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 2022. He expressed satisfaction with the swift finalization of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention, a cornerstone agreement aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency across OIC member states.
Highlighting Pakistan’s formal signing of the convention, the expressed hope that this landmark agreement would serve as a catalyst for enhanced cooperation in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting corrupt practices, as well as recovering stolen assets.
Tarar reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support in building a future free from corruption through enhanced cooperation, capacity building, and mutual assistance.
The Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies of the OIC member states adopted the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention on Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Cooperation on December 23, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The convention seeks to achieve several goals, including strengthening cooperation between anti-corruption enforcement agencies; through exchanging information and investigation into cross-border corruption crimes among anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, preventing and investigating corruption crimes as well as prosecuting the perpetrators, denying safe havens for the corrupt, and recovering proceeds of crimes.
