Photo : BSS

PABNA, Feb 26, 2025 (BSS) – With the slogan ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) held a public hearing against corruption and harassment with participation of common people here today.

People who are victims of bribery, corruption and harassment in government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, banks and financial institutions in Pabna town joined the hearing aimed at building corruption free country.

The 172nd public hearing was held from 10am to 2pm today at Shilpakala Academy auditorium with service seekers.

The ACC Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen said that the July-August movement was basically a movement against discrimination, adding, “The main cause of discrimination is injustice. If there is less injustice, there will be less discrimination. And the main cause of injustice is corruption.” 

“The main cause of all crises is corruption. This sacrifice and this change were taken place due to corruption. We could not come here to solve complaints if service providers would have been a little more humane and tolerant,” he said. 

He said, “Our position in the corruption index is almost the same as many countries that became independent after us. We want to move away from this place. We have to live in this country. This is our country, our children’s country and our grandchildren’s country. We all cannot go abroad. We have to protect the country ourselves.” 

“If we do not bring right people in the front, then our suffering will not decrease,” Momen stated.

Replying to a question about whether cases are being filed on political consideration, he said, “First we have to identify which are political cases and which are corruption cases. The ACC works against corruption.”

Replying to another question about whether the ACC will be able to work independently, the chairman said that all types of freedom have a limitation. “We will try to work impartially as well as within our freedom,” he added. 

Pabna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mofizul Islam chaired and moderated the public hearing, while ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Brigadier General (Retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid delivered speech as the special guests.

Among others, ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain, Rajshahi Director Md Kamrul Ahsan, Superintendent of Police Md Mortoza Ali Khan, Integrated District Office of ACC Deputy Director Md Shahidul Alam Sarkar and District Corruption Prevention Committee President Dr Monowar Ul Aziz, heads of departments of all government, semi-government, autonomous departments, public representatives and prominent citizens were present at the hearing.

The main objective of the public hearing is to eliminate corruption from the country by ensuring access to government services and increasing honesty, integrity, accountability and values ??among government officials.