In 1979, the Iranian revolution took place. At that time, there was much talk in the newspapers. When the Shah departed, the Iranian newspapers’ headline was ‘Shah Raft’ (the king has left). A few journalists took the newspapers to Imam Khomeini; he said ‘Allahu Akbar.’ The next day, the headline in all Iranian newspapers was ‘Allahu Akbar.’ The Shah took great pride in his alliance with America, the West, and his army. He tried every possible means, including using the army, to stop the revolution, but it was in vain. Despite facing killings and looting by the army, brave Iranian youths refused to surrender. It was a sight to behold—thousands of youths standing, bullets raining down, turning into martyrs, and then thousands more standing again. Eventually, a phase came when the bullets failed, the guns were defeated, the army retreated, and the Iranian nation won. In this victorious moment, passion triumphed over employment, the job was lost. Then the world saw millions welcoming Imam Khomeini; the goal of the Iranian administration changed. While the Shah’s regime had its pride in debauchery, the new government aimed for progress with high moral values.
During the Shah’s era, there was a vast American embassy in Tehran, the largest American embassy in any country worldwide. The CIA headquarters in Asia was situated there. The Revolutionary Guards put an end to the CIA centre and neutralized many American spies. America, which aimed to impose sanctions on Iran, believed that an Islamic revolution in Iran would fail, thinking Iran couldn’t withstand the sanctions. During this time, Iran had to suffer significant losses due to the war with Iraq. Yet, the Iranians, through their national fervour, buried their pride and continued to resist sanctions. They have spent four decades under sanctions but have learned to live within those constraints.
Iran is currently comprised of 31 provinces. Until 1950, Iran had 12 provinces; then, in 1950, these provinces were divided into ten states. From 1960 to 1981, several states were granted provincial status, and new provinces were created. The last addition to the provinces happened in 2004 when Khorasan was divided into three new provinces.
Despite being an ancient nation, Iran’s population is approximately 90 million. This means Iranians have managed to control their population to a large extent. Therefore, even today, Iran’s resources are significantly greater concerning its population. The majority of Iran’s population resides in cities, approximately 75%, while only 25% resides in rural areas. Tehran, the capital of Iran, is the country’s largest city, with 11% of Iran’s population living there. Mashhad is the second-largest city, serving as the capital of Khorasan Razavi province. Mashhad houses the sacred shrine of Imam Reza, attracting nearly two million pilgrims annually. Isfahan, Iran’s third-largest city, is a historical and industrial hub with many memorable monuments. Other major cities in Iran include Karaj, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Qom.
If one observes present-day Iran, they will realize Iran is far ahead of many Western developed countries. This is not only due to Iran’s wisdom, planning, and diligence but also because of their collective national spirit. Iran has provided its citizens with facilities, distancing itself from chaos. Crime rates are close to zero, sensitivity is observed everywhere, and Iranians are hardworking and cleanliness-oriented. These aspects distinguish Iran from other nations.

NAB Chairman, Retired Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed, has stated that strict measures will be taken against individuals involved in defrauding people through agricultural schemes. He emphasized that the perception of leniency towards NAB is somewhat accurate to some extent, as no single person or institution can completely rid the country of corruption. To combat misdeeds effectively, all segments of society must play a role in eradicating misconduct.
Speaking at an event in Lahore related to the eradication of corruption, Chairman NAB highlighted that affected members of housing societies are recovering embezzled funds. Shockingly, seven out of ten individuals have fallen prey to fraudulent housing schemes. NAB’s aim is to prevent any further exploitation and take stringent action against those involved in crop swindling.
He reaffirmed that the return of the affected individuals’ money and properties remains NAB’s core philosophy. Despite progress, there’s still a long way to go, and many affected individuals patiently await justice. He acknowledged the delay in the process, expressing the necessity for quicker action.
Chairman NAB mentioned that awareness campaigns among university students play a pivotal role. Engaging the public in such awareness initiatives is essential to combat misconduct. He emphasized the importance of creating awareness among the youth, as they could become ambassadors for NAB.
Regarding NAB’s image, he admitted that the perception of leniency holds some truth. Efforts are underway to diminish the fear and intimidation associated with NAB. He stressed the need to avoid stigmatizing individuals as criminals and instead adopt a more responsive approach.
NAB, he said, is meant to be a guardian and aide, aiming to transform into a professional institution. With the development of NAB laws, their responsibilities have increased. He expressed hope to resolve pending cases promptly and secure investors’ funds and rights.
His message underscored the need for collective action by all stakeholders to eliminate corruption, ensure the protection of investments and rights, and advocate for informed decisions among the public to prevent falling victim to fraudulent practices.