Shahbaz Sharif confesses to corruption existing at all levels in Pak Punjab province

Lahore, Oct 19 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has accepted the presence of departmental corruption at every level in his province, and given an assurance that he is determined to bring all the looted money of the nation back from corrupt people.

Shahbaz made these comments while addressing the provincial assembly in response to a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) member's speech regarding allegations of corruption in the provincial bureaucracy, especially the district police officers (DPOs) and district coordination officers (DCOs), the Daily Times reports.

Sharif said that poverty had reached its peak in the province only because of corruption, which would not be tolerated at any cost.

He further said he knew about corruption in all departments of Punjab, especially in the police department, but the fact was that corruption had become a culture of society for the past ten years.

He, however, assured that the government, avoiding any political victimisation, was taking an initiative against corrupt people, following the audit report from the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Replying to a question about the issue of the non-cooperative attitude of the provincial administration as well as corruption in the bureaucracy, Shahbaz urged the speaker and the House to fix a day when he could explain his personal and his government's efforts against the corrupt people. He also gave some examples of corrupt contractors who had been detained by the government over corruption charges in various projects. (ANI)