ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director Javed Ahmed Khan has called upon students and young people to become Iqbal's Shaheens, uphold the highest standards of integrity and wage a determined jihad against corruption, emphasizing that a corruption-free Pakistan can only be built through honesty, self-accountability and strong moral character.
Addressing students at a ceremony organized at AIOU in connection with the 149th birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, he said corruption was a major impediment to national development and its eradication required collective commitment, particularly from the younger generation.
He urged students to reject corruption in every form, neither indulge in dishonest practices themselves nor allow others to compromise integrity and actively contribute to building a transparent, responsible and corruptionfree society.
He emphasized that Allama Iqbal's concept of the Shaheen symbolizes courage, self-respect, high aspirations and moral strength, qualities that young people must embody to become responsible citizens and play an effective role in national progress.
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Amir Shah said Iqbal's philosophy provides a powerful intellectual and ethical foundation for promoting self-accountability, honesty and character building among youth.
He said Iqbal regarded young people as the nation's most valuable asset and entrusted them with the responsibility of shaping its future.
Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Amir Shah urged students to make truthfulness, integrity, respect for others' rights and self-accountability integral to their lives while avoiding hypocrisy, backbiting and negative social attitudes.
He said Iqbal's teachings remain highly relevant in addressing contemporary moral challenges and fostering a society founded on justice, ethical responsibility and mutual respect.
The event featured speech and recitation competitions aimed at promoting Iqbal's philosophy, moral teachings and message of selfhood among the younger generation.
The speech competition was held under the theme "From Khudi to Self-Accountability: Iqbal's Message for a Corruption-Free Society," highlighting the relevance of Iqbal's thought in promoting transparency, honesty and ethical responsibility.
Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof Dr Sher Muhammad and Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof Dr Naveed Sultana, also attended the ceremony.
In the speech competition, Sarosh Awan of Federal Medical College, G-8/4, secured first position; Sidra Fatima of International Islamic University won second position, while Malaika Munir of Ibadat International University secured third position.
In the recitation competition of Iqbal's poetry, Zainab Mushtaq of International Islamic University secured first position, Syed Farrukh Ali of Riphah International University and College, Wah Cantt, won second position, while Amina Shams of Islamabad Model College secured third position.
Director Student Advisory and Counselling Services, Syed Ghulam Kazim Ali, said that AIOU students were not included in the competitions to ensure transparency, impartiality and merit.
He said the initiative was part of the continuing efforts of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood to promote Iqbal's philosophy and teachings among young people and strengthen ethical values, self-accountability and character development.
He added that the university was committed to nurturing a generation equipped not only with academic knowledge and excellence but also with integrity, civic responsibility and the courage to stand against corruption, thereby contributing to a just, responsible and corruption-free Pakistan. APP
