President Mamnoon Hussain has emphasized the need to make the process of accountability more transparent and effective.

Addressing a seminar in connection with Anti-Corruption Day today, he said anti-corruption institutions and people should join hands to lay hands on the corrupt.

The President said there has been greater progress towards elimination of progress during tenure of the present Government but much has to be done.

He said there is awareness among masses against corruption and as a consequence we see improvement in overall utilization of the national resources. He said a vibrant media, political parties and civil society are also keeping an eye on misuse of public resources.

The President said we should target corruption keeping aside group or vested interests.

Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid said a draft law has been prepared to review the NAB Ordinance, which would be placed before the Parliamentary committee being constituted by Speaker National Assembly.

He said the Government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has zero tolerance policy against corruption.

The Minister said corruption is an impediment to economic growth and prosperity, hinders economic development by reducing domestic investment, discourages foreign direct investment and encourages wastage of resources and over-spending.

State Bank Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra said the Bank has been a strong supporter of fight against corruption and has partnered with NAB for the purpose.

He corruption can be tackled if bottom up approach is adopted for decision-making.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhary said corruption not only leaves disproportionate effects on the society but undermines democracy.

He said NAB has devised a comprehensive strategy to extirpate the menace.

Highlighting the NAB`s policy, he said NAB has not only started anti-corruption campaign s round the country, it has particularly focus the students as being future of the country to apprise  them of the harms inflicted by the demon of corruption o the society.

The Chairman said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Higher Education Commission to pursue in this direction.

He said the Standard Operating Procedures through which NAB`s working is streamlined have been put on its website for information of the people.

The Chairman said from filing of reference in NAB to investigation into the matter it takes ten months i all and the number of references filed and verified have significantly increased during the last few years which endorses the solemnity of our efforts.

He said three hundred and ninety seven references were dealt with by NAB in 2015 reflecting the pace of action by the Accountability Bureau.

He said Pakistan's current stands at 117th position in the list of minimum corruption countries as compared to 139th position in 2012.

Qamar Zaman Chaudhary said along with countrywide campaign against corruption, NAB being fully aware of its International and regional obligations have kicked of the SAARC anti-corruption forum this year.

On the occasion, a colouring book prepared by NAB and National College of Arts Lahore was also launched.

At the end the President distributed certificates and awards among the NAB officers in recognition of their outstanding performance in the fight against corruption. -Radio Pakistan