KARACHI/ISLAMABAD (Agencies) Government launched a new anti-corruption campaign on Thursday in an attempt to tackle the massive graft that threatens government stability and economy of the country. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who himself has outstanding corruption charges against him that he says are politically motivated, said immediate actions would be taken against corrupt officials in Islamabads municipal council, the Water and Power Development Authority, the Federal Bureau of Revenue, the two national gas companies and passport departments. Talking to journalists, the minister said a committee has been constituted with members including federal secretaries of four provinces, representatives of National Accountability Bureau and intelligence agencies to address the complaints of citizens and review corruption cases related to other public departments. Whatever others say about our country, we should look at our own house first, he said. And yes, we have massive corruption in our country. Transparency Internationals local chapter estimates petty corruption costs Pakistans economy between Rs200-225 billion a year. Thats 1.58 percent of the countrys 2009 GDP of $166.5 billion. Pakistans Transparency International corruption ranking fell to 143 in 2010 from 139 in 2009 out of 178 countries surveyed. Apprising salient feature of the drive, Malik said in first phase of the campaign, major public dealing departments of the ministry have been picked up where common people mostly visit. He said heads of all departments of Ministry of Interior have been categorically asked to curb corruption in their respective departments. The government will not allow corruption in any form and there will be zero tolerance in this regard. He assured that action would be taken against only those elements who are found involved in such activities instead of law-abiding officials or employees. He said the committee would meet fortnight to review the cases. He added representatives of civil societies, NGOs and former senior officials would be invited to get their support in eliminating corruption. He requested the citizens to send only credible information and warned that same action will be taken against those who will send false information. He added if any official is arrested red-handed from any department, the head of concerned department would also be arrested as he is responsible to make the system transparent. Malik said a performa is being prepared to be filled by those employees who are deployed in public dealing offices with their complete information. He added such performa would be sent to FIA with their appointment/transfer letters so that there should have complete information about such persons. Similarly, during timings of public dealing offices, no body will be allowed to use mobile phone and action will be taken against those employees who will break the direction. He said passport offices have been asked to restrict role of agents while same direction has been communicated to WAPDA in this regard. He said the salary of FIA staff has also been raised to make it at par with salaries of policemen while extra allowance may be given to those employees working at public dealing offices. He said a website has been inaugurated with title Corruption free Pakistan which will become active in coming 36 hours. He added public will be informed about this website and toll free numbers have been installed at FIA and in Ministry of Interior. People can share any such information through email and mobile massaging service. He also sought support of media persons to help the ministry in fight against corruption. He announced five pride of performance for those informers who will pass on information about major corruption cases besides rewards for five best investigative journalists. The minister said five cases based on complaints have been sent to the Director General Federal Investigating Agency on Thursday for investigation as first step against corruption, adding such efforts will continue till complete elimination of corruption from the country. This is an effort, how to minimise the corruption and how to make people free and make it sure that people are getting results from such efforts. He said according to the magnitude and content of crime, the report of on-going inquiry of corruption cases of some departments would be transferred to FIA including Capital Development Authority (CDA) and WAPDA. He said it has been pointed out that several public dealing departments are working with out-dated data and without having any computerised system. He said it has been suggested that such departments replace their old system with new computerised one, ensuring display of rules and regulations in offices and placing complaint boxes. These complaint boxes would be opened in front of designated FIA officials for taking action. He said the government would start action against those who created sugar crisis in the country from tomorrow. He said 10 percent amount as reward would be given to those informers who will point out hording of sugar. DG FIA Wasim Ahmad said that on 31st October, the minister had given seven days warning to the departments of Ministry of Interior to stop corruption and with the support of intelligence agencies who remained vigilant, few cases of corruption have been reported. He said a case regarding Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) while another case regarding allotment of flats to Hajis in Jaddah have been reported in which senior officials are found involved with charges. He said action has also been taken against those custom employees who were misusing non-duty paid vehicles for their personal purposes. Similarly, an inquiry has been started and finalising the status regarding sugar crisis and if sugar is not brought to the markets, action will be taken against hoarders, he added.