1. INTEGRITY ICON  |  2. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING  |  3. ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP AND DESIGN THINKING  |  4. PAKISTAN EMERGING LEADERS INITIATIVE (PELI)  |  5.  ECO-LEADERS – STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION  |  6. ACCOUNTABILITY INCUBATOR  |  7. ADVOCACY AND POLICY  |  8. BUDGET

Accountability Lab Pakistan’s multifaceted approach in 2023 not only catalyzed positive transformations at both the individual and institutional levels but also set the stage for sustained progress in fostering integrity, accountability, and inclusive leadership. A concerted effort to advance integrity, accountability, climate justice and empowerment of diverse communities resulted in tangible positive changes in the lives of 20,000 direct beneficiaries, with an indirect reach of 5 million individuals.

Some highlights include; Integrity Icon Pakistan – a flagship initiative celebrating exceptional public servants – that garnered over 1000 nominations across 20 districts, and the Eco-Leaders Initiative – a collaboration with four public sector universities – that empowered 300 youth to spearhead impactful climate change actions. By instilling a sense of environmental stewardship and equipping young people with the tools to address climate challenges, this initiative contributed to the broader sustainability agenda.

The Integrity Icon campaign highlights and celebrates government officials practicing integrity and honesty. The campaign is also an opportunity to connect and support similar public sector role-models to build coalitions and push for further reform and value-based decision making over time. More than 300 participants including government officials, icons, students, academics, and representatives of civil society organizations attended the crowning ceremony.

MUDASSIR RIAZ MALIK
Directorate General, Social Welfare
& Bait-ul-Maal, Punjab, Lahore

“Often, as humans, we tend to highlight the negatives before acknowledging the positives. However, it is important to prioritize motivation, incentives, promotion, encouragement, and acknowledgment, especially for individuals excelling in their fields. Such recognition instills a positive effect in both society and among public service officials.”

JAVED SANHARO JISKANI
Deputy Inspector General, Social Welfare
(PSP-BS-20) – Larkana

“The icons feel motivated when they are acknowledged for their out-of-the-box work, which has made public service delivery more effective and is fostering a positive culture. This will resonate with our youth, ensuring that young civil servants understand their work will be appreciated and acknowledged, when they join public service.”

DR. SANIA HAMEED PASHA
Assistant Commissioner,
Saddar Zone – Islamabad

““By recognizing these icons, the Accountability Lab is not only motivating public service officials to work harder for the betterment of people but also informing the general public about the work being done by civil servants. This encourages the public to approach and provide firsthand feedback for further improvement.”

Integrity Icon 2023 received extensive national and international media coverage.

READ MORE HERE:

Dawn, Pakistan Today, Pakistan Observer, Daily Jang, Daily Jehan Pakistan, Daily Dunya, Daily Mumtaz (News), Daily Mumtaz (Photo), Daily Balochistan Express, Daily Quetta Voice, We News Website, Daily Asia Sun, The Public Purview Website and World News Website.

IMPACT STORIES

FROM TRAINING TO TRANSFORMATION
Kamran Bashir, Deputy Director at the Anti Corruption Establishment Balochistan (ACEB), went through a series of comprehensive workshops under this project, significantly enhancing ACEB’s anti-corruption efforts. His recent trap-raids in far flung areas of Balochistan Mand and Dasht Balnigwar led to the apprehension of two contractors and an executive engineer, fined PKR 2 million each for fraudulent college construction payments. This spurred a crucial policy change, mandating payments only post-project completion. Mr. Kamran attributes his 100% conviction rate in trap-raids to Accountability Lab’s training, resulting in 7 FIRs within a year. Beyond policy changes, these tangible outcomes position ACEB as a formidable anti-corruption force, instilling confidence and accountability.

BALOCHISTAN’S ANTI-CORRUPTION HEROES BEYOND THE HEADLINES: RESTORING CITIZENS’ TRUST
In March 2022, ACEB faced a major challenge involving fraudulent lecturer appointments in Balochistan colleges. Through advanced investigative techniques acquired through the project’s training, formal charges were laid against the central figure involved in this case. ACEB personnel cross-referenced records, employed forensic document analysis, and strategically collaborated with relevant agencies. This success story showcases how targeted training enhances capacities, exemplifying a transformative impact on anti corruption investigations in Balochistan.

UNIFYING VOICES: MEDIA AND ACEB’S PARTNERSHIP IN BOLSTERING TRANSPARENCY
Comprehensive training coupled with specialized media liaison fortified ACEB staff’s understanding of the entity’s mandate, and fostered collaboration with media entities in Balochistan. ACEB shared impactful cases on a range of platforms; unmasking ghost schools and teachers, investigating subsidy mismanagement, and disciplining police stations SHOs.

The partnership bolstered public confidence in ACEB’s commitment to transparency and positioned the institution as a central anti-corruption agency. In 10 months, ACEB achieved 43 news features, reaching 500,000+, and engaged 470,000 social media followers.

IMPACT STORIES

COLLABORATION WITH BALOCHISTAN CIVIL SERVICE ACADEMY (BCSA)
We established a strategic partnership with the Balochistan Civil Service Academy (BCSA) to extend the reach and impact of the training program, fostering cooperation and capacity building among civil servants in Balochistan. The partnership is both a commitment to overcoming governance challenges as well as an acknowledgement of the importance of adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of public service. By adopting modern tools such as design thinking, Balochistan’s civil servants can better navigate the complexities of governance and address the concerns of citizens, ultimately fostering a more responsive and efficient public administration.

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS
The Lab created a network of reform champions, enabling a continuous process of knowledge creation, mutual learning, monitoring of impact and engagement of community for inclusive policy making.

The network of reform champions created through this project has enabled a continuous process to document and publish the learnings of senior public servants, who previously didn’t have the avenue to reflect upon their learnings and feedback due to rigid and complex processes and lack of opportunities within the public service. In 2023, experts on topics including thought leadership, public sector reforms, anti-corruption rules and regimes, and climate justice developed six policy briefs.

IMPACT STORIES

BRIDGING THE GAP
Faculty and students from madrassas are often filtered out by many platforms and need more exposure to peers from academia and other professions. A lack of inclusion becomes a hurdle to social cohesion and harmony among diverse communities. The Pakistan Emerging Leadership Initiative was designed to fill this void and provide an equal opportunity and platform to all Pakistani communities. The workshop enabled participants to engage in discussions and prepared them to play a more significant role in their communities. Lectures, discussions, ice breaking activities, and networking opportunities followed the training session.

CATALYZING CHANGE: LAL RAI’S JOURNEY OF AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
As a program fellow, Lal embarked on a profound exploration of authentic leadership, community engagement, and sustainable solutions during this immersive experience. Surrounded by a diverse group of talented, motivated, and passionate individuals, all united by a common vision for the future, the workshop became a melting pot of ideas and aspirations. The collaborative atmosphere fostered connections that transcended diverse backgrounds, creating a shared commitment to effect positive change. With a newfound understanding of authentic leadership and a passion for sustainable solutions, Lal is now poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening the resilience of their community through community action plans.

BY THE NUMBERS

IMPACT STORIES

FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: MEHTAB ALAM’S JOURNEY WITH THE ECO-BOOTCAMP
Mehtab Alam, a participant from Booni, Chitral immersed himself in a hands-on journey to combat climate change. The pivotal moment for Mehtab came when he witnessed the devastating effects of climate change in flood-affected areas, specifically due to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. He devised a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP), outlining concrete steps to actively contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. It encompasses a range of initiatives, from community-led conservation projects to educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the pressing need for climate action. Fueled by a newfound sense of responsibility, Mehtab is now dedicated to advocating for sustainable practices within his community and beyond.
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CULTIVATING ECO-LEADERSHIP: A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY IN CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS
Seema Bibi, a participant from Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi, also had an eye-opening experience. On a visit to the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council in Islamabad, Seema and her fellow participants gained practical insights into the intricacies of waste water management. Learning how a drip irrigation system works provided a tangible connection to how climate change can be tackled in a concrete way.

IMPACT STORIES

PARTICIPATION IN HACKCORRUPTION NEPAL
In April 2023, 50 young innovators, technology enthusiasts, government and civil society practitioners from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal descended on Kathmandu to present their creative ideas and technological solutions in a Hackathon event arranged by Accountability Lab Nepal. Shahzadi Faiza, one of the accountapreneurs was shortlisted for the Hackcorruption event and presented innovative solutions on women’s empowerment through digital tools.

DIGITAL GIRLS – MOBILE APP
One of the accountapreneurs from 2023 went on to develop a mobile app tailor made for women called “digital girl”, which included information about available online courses on a range of topics including leadership and entrepreneurship.

EMPOWERING MINDS, SHATTERING SLENCE
Armed with an MPhil in Gender Studies and fueled by a passion for gender equality and peacebuilding, Wajid Zahid joined the Incubator. He had founded the Youth Peace Club and initiated Empower to Deliver to combat abuse on university campuses. Through the Incubator, Wajid received training, mentorship, and resources, refining his approach and amplifying his impact. Empower to Deliver created a safe haven for students, equipped them with advocacy skills, and established reporting mechanisms, breaking the silence surrounding abuse. The initiative not only empowered individuals but triggered a broader movement for change within educational institutions. Despite challenges, Wajid, supported by fellow accountapreneurs and mentors, navigated the journey successfully. The ripple effect of Empower to Deliver was extraordinary, empowering students to recognize violations, report incidents, and demand justice.

BUDGET & STAFF