LAHORE: A seminar held to mark International AntiCorruption Day here on Monday was told that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has `distanced itself from the controversies` over the past two years.

The NAB Lahore hosted the seminar in which its Director General Amjad Majeed Aulakh, Pildat president Ahmed Bilal Mehboob and the National School of Public Policy Dean Muhammad Jamil Ahmed Afagi spoke.

`Some 45 percent of Pakistan`s registered voters are youth, making their involvement crucial in the fight against corruption.

Accountability efforts often face significant challenges, but NAB has distanced itself from controversies over the past two years, earning public confidence,` Mr Mehboob said.

He urged the NAB to expand its awareness initiatives to colleges and universities, leveraging social media to reach the youth effectively.

Reflecting on the influence of social media, he said that 80pc the of the young populationbecame aware of the youth parliament campaign through digital platforms.

Mehboob asked the NAB to focus on addressing the youth`s challenges, noting that corruption was a primary obstacle to resources availability for young Pakistanis.

Mr Aulakh detailed recent initiatives taken by the bureau`s chief, such as monthly open forums, and highlighted NAB`s commitment under the 2003 UNCAC convention to share information with member states to combat corruption.

Speaking on the event`s theme, `Youth Against Corruption: Building a Brighter Future,` he acknowledged the dual challenges of extremism and the lack of meritocracy impacting the younger generation.

He said the NAB Lahore had established 6,000 character-building societies in schools, colleges, and universities this year.

Mr Aulakh stressed that tackling corruption required collective effort, noting that societal acceptance of corruption exacerbates extremism and disillusionment among the youth.

He said that NAB teams hadbeen organising awareness seminars across educational institutions to address these issues.

Jamil Ahmed Afagi said eradicating corruption entirely might be unrealistic but significant reforms could help control it. He observed that accountability officials in other countries maintained a distinct and independent presence in public life, an approach that could strengthen integrity.

During the ceremony, students who secured first position in various competitions were awarded certificates and cash prizes.

Additionally, the NAB officers who demonstrated exceptional performance throughout 2024 received merit certificates. The recipients of the best officer of the year award included Deputy Director Shehzad Ahmed from NAB Lahore Headquarters Wing, Deputy Director Qudsia Firdous from the Complaint Cell, Assistant Director Rauf Alam from Investigation Wing-I, Deputy Director Zeshan Ali from Investigation Wing-II, and Deputy Director Rab Nawaz Ranjha from Investigation Wing-III.