By Imtiaz Hussain
KHAIRPUR: Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan) marked International Anti-Corruption Day 2025 by organizing a series of seminars, awareness walks and public discussions across the country, focusing on youth engagement under the UN theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.
The events were aimed at raising public awareness about corruption and underlining the importance of good governance and citizen participation in tackling the issue. Activities were held in multiple districts, including Umerkot, Badin, Shikarpur and Khairpur in Sindh; Rajanpur, Lahore and Gujranwala in Punjab; Swabi, Lower Dir and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Quetta and Lasbela in Balochistan; and in Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, TI Pakistan’s executive director, Kashif Ali, said the organization was committed to empowering young people by equipping them with the skills and confidence to challenge corruption and by ensuring their inclusion in governance and decision-making processes.
TI Pakistan said the programs were organized in collaboration with grassroots partners, with citizens actively participating and reaffirming their commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance.
A one-day seminar was also held at Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur Mir’s, jointly organized by TI Pakistan, Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy and the university’s Students Societies Centre. Speakers said the event aimed to sensitize students and the wider public to the harms of corruption and the need for civic engagement.
Dr Taj Muhammad Lashari, academic adviser at Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy, highlighted the role of youth in promoting good governance and combating corruption at the local level, stressing the need to include young people in provincial and local governance processes. He also praised the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, for providing a platform for student engagement.
Asif Aamir Abbasi, assistant election commissioner in Khairpur, said young people could shape good governance by exercising their right to vote responsibly and called for stronger voter education. Dr Ali Raza Lashari, coordinator of the Students Societies Centre, described youth as “change makers” and emphasized the need to incorporate anti-corruption values into educational curricula.
Other participants, including Ali Ansar Sindhu from NDSP, Abdul Jabbar Khaskheli and students, shared their views on the theme. The seminar concluded with an anti-corruption awareness walk, reinforcing the message of collective action against corruption.
