LAHORE(National Times)- International Anti-Corruption Day is being observed across the globe, today (Tuesday) including in Pakistan. International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) is observed annually on December 9th, designated by the UN General Assembly in 2003 to raise awareness about corruption and promote the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The day highlights corruption’s threat to development, democracy, and human rights, focusing on themes like empowering youth to build integrity and foster a future free from corruption, with campaigns often led by the UNODC. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, highlights the vital role of young people in building fairer, more transparent societies. Young people remain at the heart of the fight against corruption. Deeply affected by its consequences, they are uniquely positioned to uphold ethical standards in their communities and challenge corruption at every level. By listening to their voices, supporting their leadership and ensuring they have a meaningful seat at the table, we empower youth to strengthen accountability, uphold integrity and help build corruption-resilient institutions. Shaping tomorrow’s integrity requires governments, businesses, educational institutions, civil society and young people to unite for a shared purpose: a future where corruption no longer blocks opportunity, undermines progress or erodes trust and where integrity guides the way forward. Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires, whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. Economic development is stunted, because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs” required, because of corruption.