Transparency International Pakistan’s Annual Members’ Meeting was held on November 05, 2011 at Hotel Marriott, Karachi.

After the confirmation of minutes of the Annual Members’ Meeting 2010, Mr. Saad Rashid, Executive Director, briefed the members about the activities of TI-P since last Annual Members’ Meeting. Members were informed about the various changes that had taken place in the TI-Pakistan’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Saad Rashid also shared the numerous threats that TI-P and its ex-Chairman, Mr. Syed AdilGilani, had received as a consequence of highlighting the NICL case and publishing Corruption Perception Index 2010.  The Executive Director also mentioned the achievements of TI-Pakistan’s Procurement Watch which had saved billions in various procurements.

Director Projects, Anti- Corruption Pakistan Project II (ACPP II), Dr. N.I. Khowaja, gave a presentation on the activities of ACPP II and shared its several highlights. Members were informed about the Report Card Study conducted to gauge the performance and progress of the Federal Tax Ombudsman office. Dr. Khowaja also informed the members about the seminar that was organized in Islamabad to recognize the efforts of Public Accounts’ Committee in curbing corruption and ensuring transparency. The Director Projects also updated the members that two committees have been set up to tackle the menace of corruption in the education sector with primary tasks of addressing the issue of ghost schools and exorbitant fees charged by the private schools. Activities of Youth in Governance (YinG) program and Childs’ View of Corruption (CVoC) were also discussed.

Mr. Ashfaque Ahmed from Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) shared insights about the mechanism and working of ALAC. He also shared with the members about “Say No to Corruption” campaign that has been launched in Toba Tek Singh (Punjab) with the partnership of Rural Development Organization. Members were also apprised that the number of cases at ALAC have increased by 106% compared to year 2010.

Project Manager Anti-Fraud Hotline, Mr. FawadGilani, briefed the members about the latest project of TI Pakistan which works in direct collaboration with the OIG Office of USAID. The Anti-Fraud Hotline is a platform where the victims or witnesses of corruption can launch their complaint against misappropriations in donor agencies whereas the responsibility of resolution of complaints lies with the OIG Office.

Audit Report for the year 2011 was presented by TI-Pakistan’s Finance Manager Ms. JaveriaZaman. The budget for the next year was also presented.

After the presentations, forum was opened for queries and discussions. Several issues were discussed in this session including the taking up of Cricket Corruption case by TI-Pakistan.

While discussing the cases of Rental Power Plants, Sindh Bank and National Insurance Corporation Limited, TI-P’s adviser Mr. Syed AdilGilani said that judiciary has not given the verdict to any of the corruption cases which encourages the accused.

The meeting, attended by almost 40 members, ended with a vote of thanks.