LAHORE - Newly appointed chief justice of the Lahore High Court Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry in his maiden address on Thursday stressed awarding severe punishment, even death, to the people practicing corruption and committing embezzlement while holding public office or otherwise for making the society corruption-free. The roots of corruption are very deep in our society, as practicing this evil has become a lifestyle. The eradication of this menace is possible only through severe punishments which may be even death. Ijaz Chaudhry said this while addressing a prize distribution ceremony of essay writing and painting competitions among students at a ceremony held in connection with the International anti-Corruption Day Alhamra Art Centre. The ceremony was organised by National Accountability Bureau, (NAB), Punjab, to highlight the menace of corruption in the society and to create awareness among the masses. Earlier, Director General NAB Punjab Justice (r) Rana Zahid Mahmood in his address said that corruption must be weeded out by the efforts of all at every level. The chief justice strongly condemned corruption in society and emphasized the need of new legislation to enhance punishment of corruption from 10-year imprisonment to death. He said in the past only lower rank officials like clerks were nabbed for corruption and no others were tried in the court of law. He regretted that in the past both the dictators and the civil governments - came to power for eradicating corruption in the society but they themselves got indulged in the same. The chief justice said, We are Muslims but we do not care about the ethics and also do not hesitate cheating each other. On the other hand non-Muslim countries follow basic human values. The chief justice commended NAB for arresting high rank officials involved in corruption. Earlier, the chief justice inaugurated the photographic-cum-paintings exhibition.