‘ACC not satisfied with punishment rate in corruption cases’

Iqbal Mahmood, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has said the commission is not satisfied with the punishment rate in graft cases. However, in the last five years, the conviction rate has increased from 37 percent to 77 percent. The commission expects the conviction rate to be 100%.

He was speaking at the release programme of ‘Annual Report 2019’ the Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday (February 8). He joined the programme virtually.

ACC Chairman said that the conviction rate in 2015 was 37 percent, in 2016 it was 54 percent, in 2017 it was 68 percent, in 2018 and 2019 the conviction rate was slightly reduced to 63 percent. However, in 2020, the rate stood at 77 percent.

Iqbal Mahmood said, “Analyzing the statistics, it is seen that the conviction rate in the cases filed by the commission has been stable since 2017. The conviction rate has remained the same for the last two years. This is a positive achievement of ACC. In 2015, the conviction rate in cases was 37 percent, in 2017, 2018 and 2019, the conviction rate in graft caseswas more than 60 percent.”

He said, “The commission is not satisfied. The commission expects that the conviction rate will be 100%. However, 100 percent of conviction was ensured in cases filed over money laundering in last two years (2018 and 2019). The Commission is continuing its efforts to bring qualitative change in the investigation and prosecution of cases in the light of its own wisdom and experience. However, it would not be appropriate to say clearly that the level of corruption has decreased in line with the aspirations of people even after taking all kinds of measures including lawsuits, arrests and punishments.”