Corruption in Pakistan

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Corruption in Pakistan is widespread,[1] and extends to every sector from government to judiciary, police, health services, education, and military.[2]

Corruption distorts economic decision-making, deters investment, undermines competitiveness and, ultimately, weakens economic growth of a country, which is why the problems are long-standing, and despite ongoing calls for reform, and many attempts to improve the situation, there is little evidence of progress.[3][4]

Brief history

"Corruption is a curse in India and amongst Muslims, especially the so-called educated and intelligentsia. Unfortunately, it is this class that is selfish and morally and intellectually corrupt. No doubt this disease is common, but amongst this particular class of Muslims it is rampant."

— Pakistan founder

Ispahani,
6 May 1945[5]

The

bureaucracy and army from the British Raj. There has since been no major change in this bureaucratic set up since it was first implemented by the British, although reforms were proposed by the Musharraf regime in 2007. This has led many to speculate that "corruption has seeped into the higher echelons of bureaucracy" where "corruption cases are [mostly] reported against irregular and ex-cadre appointments".[6] It was by the late 1960s that the bureaucracy started being portrayed as an "instrument of oppression".[7] In multiple reports published by the World Bank, the Pakistani bureaucracy was seen as being rife with corruption, inefficient and bloated in size with an absence of accountability and resistant to change.[8][9][10][11]

Bureaucracy and secession of East Pakistan: 1954–1971

nationalisation programme
in order to revitalise the economy but these policies were used by certain individuals and groups to accumulate wealth.

The bureaucratic influence was strong in the

single unit called West Pakistan. This led to public outcry in East Pakistan who felt that they were being misrepresented and systematically marginalised by the land-owning Punjabi Muslim elites who enjoyed higher bureaucratic positions at the time.[13] This led to the secession of East Pakistan into the separate nation state of Bangladesh and lay witness to the corrupt malpractices of the Punjabi elite in West Pakistan. Punjabis argued that East Pakistan's majority was a consequence of the high percentage of Bengali Hindus in the province[14] who were not involved in the state's decision-making processes. Thus, the Punjabi landowners remained largely unrepentant of their desires to "[secure] their own hegemony" leading to the loss of the eastern province in 1971.[15][16]

Nationalisation politicises economic planning: 1973–1977

After

nationalisation programme bringing entire private industrial corporations under the government ownership.[17] In 1974, Bhutto cancelled the fourth five-year plans bypassing the recommendations of the Planning Commission
, focusing entirely on broadening government control over private business enterprises. In doing so, Bhutto's government began the politicisation of economic planning.

Political interference opened doors for corrupt political practices to seep into the nation's economic planning processes. The nationalisation programme badly affected the reputation of the

Pakistan Peoples Party. Accumulated losses of up to Rs 254 million were reported with several instances of over-staffing and inefficient productivity in heavy mechanical industries.[18] By 1976, the state had been hijacked by group and individuals trying to accumulate wealth by redistributing resources from public enterprises to private individuals. Public enterprises "became a device to extend political patronage to those that the regime favoured, to pay political debts, or to accumulate power".[19]

Denationalisation and political favouritism: 1978–1988

Bhutto's nationalisation programme lost its appeal towards the end of his government's term and the demand for denationalisation gained more currency. The successive government of

military chief and president Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq released a whitepaper that led to the creation of a commission under Pakistan Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation (PICIC) to reverse earlier nationalisation efforts.[20] Not much was achieved in this regard and only three industries, including future prime minister Nawaz Sharif's conglomerate Ittefaq Group of Industries, were ever denationalised and returned to their owners. Many argued that Sharif was favoured in this process because he was a political protégé of the military dictator at the helm.[21][22]

Unprecedented political corruption: 2008–2013

Yousaf Raza Gillani
became the first head of state to be convicted while holding office and later disqualified on charges of loan defaulting.

In 2012, Transparency International (TI) calculated that Pakistan had lost more than Rs 8.5 trillion (US$ 94 billion) in corruption, tax evasion and bad governance in the PPP-led coalition government from 2008 to 2013.

Present

From 2013 to 2017, while Nawaz Sharif was in power, Transparency International indicated a significant drop in corruption as Pakistan improved from a score of 28 to 32 in the TI Corruption Perceptions Index,[23] even though serious allegations of corruption[24][failed verification] were levelled against him during that time. In the Index, 180 countries across the world are scored on a scale of 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean") according to how honest their public sectors are perceived to be; a high score indicates a perception of an honest public sector.

Adil Gillani, an advisor for TI Pakistan, observed in 2012 that if Pakistan checked the menace of corruption and ensured good governance, it would not require a single penny from the outside world. The 2008–2013 PPP-led coalition government was criticised as being the most corrupt in the country's history.[25] The free and powerful local media in Pakistan exposed various cases of corruption during the government's tenure including cases of bribery and corruption in government-owned enterprises like Pakistan International Airlines[26] and Pakistan Railways.[27]

On 29 March 2012, a civilian resident of Johar Town Lahore, Tariq Ahmed, filed a court petition in the

disqualified. Gillani is prudently criticised for a prolonged era of stagflation
, in which fundamental economic problems were ignored, government was mismanaged and corruption was endemic.

In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Pakistan received a score of 29, where the highest-scoring country worldwide received a score of 90, the lowest-scoring country 11 and the average score was 43.[30] Regionally, the highest score among the Asia Pacific countries[Note 1] was 85, the average score was 45 and the lowest score was 17.[31]

Anti-corruption efforts

Prevention of Corruption Acts: 1947, 1950 and 1958

The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 implemented in the Dominion of Pakistan was enacted to make effective provisions for the prevention of bribery and corruption of public servants, particularly in the bureaucratic administration. The autonomous Princely State of Bahawalpur adopted its own version of the act, namely the Bahawalpur Prevention of Corruption Act, 1950.

In 1955, an accord was signed between

Makran and Lasbela
and also repealed the Bahawalpur Prevention of Corruption Act, 1950.

National Accountability Bureau Ordinance, 1999

On 16 November 1999, Ordinance XIX was passed which later came to be known as the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance. It called for the establishment of the

defence and corporate sectors), and direct such cases to accountability courts. Individuals convicted under the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance are prohibited from holding political office for ten years.[32]

Provincial legislation against corruption

The provincial governments of Pakistan are responsible for legislations in their respective provinces and since 2013, there has been several legislative efforts against corruption, primarily in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Following is a list of recent anti-corruption legislations:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa anti-corruption legislations

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Bill was passed in the provincial assembly on 31 October 2013. It was enacted throughout the province by the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 4 November 2013 as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013.[33] The legislation makes way for provisions that add transparency to the various functions and departments of the government. It gives the citizens of the province the right to access any information or record held by a public body, except for the information that is sensitive to the security of the state.

Role of mainstream and social media

Mainstream media

Before 2002, the

electronic media
in 2002, it has served as a major force in exposing corruption-related cases and scams.

Following are a few of the major corruption scams and scandals reported and exposed in the mainstream Pakistani media:

Social media

In the wake of

social networking websites. Specialised websites were set up to publish and archive material exposing corrupt malpractices throughout the many polling stations serving several constituencies. Several leaked videos of persons supposed to be caught in the act of rigging the polls went viral and caught the eye of the mainstream media becoming topics of discussion in days to follow.[45] However, a judicial probe found these allegations to be unsubstantiated.[46] Even before the elections, social media served as an effective tool to hold the nation's to-be-leaders "accountable" for various issues like corruption and education.[47]

Citizen journalism is emerging as a growing phenomenon and social media is being touted in Pakistan as an important tool that can be used to strengthen democracy.[48] Adding to the mix, several prominent politicians have moved to the likes of Twitter to gather support and get prospective voters on board and analysts think that this can lead to a better and direct accountability of political leaders. Social media has also proved effective in identifying corruption in mainstream media,[49] particularly in the case of the mediagate scandal.

Corruption by sector

Judiciary

See also: Judiciary of Pakistan

In 2002, in a report titled "Nature and Extent of Corruption in the Public Sector", Transparency International (TI) Pakistan reported that the highest amounts of bribery were spent on people affiliated with the judiciary.

public prosecutors, 14.12% said witnesses, 12.43% said judges, 8.19% said opponent lawyer, 4.52% said magistrates while 3.39% mentioned others.[51]

In a 2011 survey, TI Pakistan identified judiciary as the most corrupt institution in Pakistan alongside police.

high courts and the lower courts, where people were unlawfully promoted within the judiciary.[54]

Education

See also: Education in Pakistan

In the 2010, TI Pakistan reported that about 23.7% of those surveyed received admission in educational institutions through non-normal and alternate procedures.

technocrats, bureaucrats and businessmen usually capitalise in this venture. These attitudes can also explain the deteriorating standards in the public sector educational institutes. On the other hand, state-owned public schools face several challenges including poor management and governance, and incompetence of consecutive governments in the education sector. Further factors for failing standards in state-run institutions include lack of funding, non-utilisation by elite classes, appointments of under-qualified faculty.[58]

For a brief time during the regime of Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan received unprecedented investments in its higher-education sector – this funding faltered with the arrival of

education ministry.[61]

Health care

See also:
Health care in Pakistan

In 2010, 42% of surveyed individuals reported gaining access to hospital services by a method other than standard admission, and 48% reported either having to pay additional costs for essential services or being forced to utilize the services of a designated affiliate. Of the respondents who were asked to identify which parties orchestrated the corrupt acts, 61% reported hospital staff, 25% reported doctors, and 13% reported nurses.[62]

Police and law enforcement

See also: Law enforcement in Pakistan

Corruption is found to be commonplace in the lower levels of police.[63] Police was observed as the most corrupt sector in a 2013 survey by Transparency International (TI).[64] This situation has persisted since the graft watchdog's July 2010 survey,[65] in which it was noted that the major cause for corruption in this sector was due to a lack of accountability and merit, and low salaries.[63] Payment of bribes in order to escape and avoid charges was also commonplace; 31% of 4,224 respondents reported paying bribes to the police.[62] Citizen journalists upload instances of police officials taking bribes on social networking and video sharing websites like YouTube.[66][67]

Ordinary citizens face challenges in reporting instances of corruption they encounter with the police. In 2005, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz ordered an investigation into claims by a 23-year-old woman who alleged that, in retaliation for attempting to reveal police corruption, police falsely detained her for fifteen days and raped her.[68]

Public utilities

Further information: Electricity sector in Pakistan

As of 2002, 96% of surveyed individuals reported corruption issues with electrical utility officials during the past year.[69] The most common types of corruption were billing related. Some consumers admitted to illegally reducing their utility bills, while others reported being harassed with inflated bills intended to solicit bribes. Out of the pool of corruption-affirmative respondents, 71% reported that money was "demanded directly by the actor".[69]

Sports corruption

See also: Pakistan cricket spot-fixing scandal

In August 2010, reporters from News of the World orchestrated a sting operation which was able to identify three Pakistani cricket players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – and a bookmaker Mazhar Majeed of being complicit in a row over spot-fixing in the fourth England-Pakistan test match at Lord's.[70] The cricketers each received 30 months, one year and six months jail term respectively while the bookmaker received two years and eight months jail term in a verdict issued by the Southwark Crown Court on November 3, 2011.[71][72][73][74] Following these events, on 15 November 2011, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf established an anti-corruption unit to prevent players from becoming involved in illegal betting practices.[75] The cricket board has introduced new anti-corruption laws in order to bring accountability among cricketers and board officials.[76]

Taxation

Further information: Taxation in Pakistan

According to the 2002 study, 99% of 256 respondents reported facing corruption of taxation. Furthermore, 32% of respondents reported paying bribes to have their tax assessment lowered, and nearly 14% reported receiving fictitious tax assessments until a bribe was paid.[69]

Electoral

Further information:
Electoral fraud in Pakistan

Notes

  1. ^ Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and Vietnam

See also

Further reading

  • Transparency International Pakistan (2007). "How Integrity Pacts Helped Generate Market Competition in Pakistan" (PDF). Transparency International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  • Transparency International Pakistan (2009). "Annual Report on Pakistan" (PDF). Transparency International. Retrieved 2013-12-26.

Citations

  1. ^ Rose-Ackerman (1997, p. 4)
  2. ^ "Corruption Perception Index 2017". Archived from the original on 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  3. ^ Nishtar (2010), in Ebrahim (2010)
  4. ^ Beyg, Saranjam (7 July 2013). "Tackling corruption". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  5. ^ "Full text of the NICL Judgement of the Supreme Court" (PDF). Supreme Court of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-23. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  6. ^ Siddiqi, M A (25 April 2011). "A guide to the CSS: Want to change Pakistan? Try joining the government as an honest bureaucrat". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  7. ^ Shafqat (1999, p. 995)
  8. ^ World Bank (1983)
  9. ^ World Bank (1985)
  10. ^ World Bank (1993)
  11. ^ World Bank (1997)
  12. ^ Ziring (2003, p. 71)
  13. ^ Ahmad (2001)
  14. ^ Ziring (2003, p. 54)
  15. ^ Hippler (1997)
  16. ^ Rashid, Ahmed (6 September 2010). "Opinions: Pakistani flood relief must start with fighting corruption". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  17. ^ Federal Research Division (2004, p. 94)
  18. ^ Mohiuddin (2007, pp. 100–150, ch. 2, The Economy of Pakistan, "The Nationalization and Authoritarian Populism Under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto; 1971-1977")
  19. ^ Noman (1990, pp. 77–79)
  20. ISBN 978-0300183665
    . Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  21. ^ "Profile: Nawaz Sharif". BBC. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  22. ^ Siddiqui, Taha (17 April 2013). "Pakistan elections: Who are the main candidates for prime minister?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  23. ^ e.V., Transparency International. "Corruption Perceptions Index 2017". www.transparency.org. Archived from the original on 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  24. ^ Sinha, Debasish (31 August 2022). "What's Happening in Pakistan? Pakistan's Extreme Economic Crises Explained". Insysd. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  25. ^ Abbasi, Ansar (5 February 2005). "Rs 8,500 bn corruption mars Gilani tenure: Transparency". Geo News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  26. ^ a b "$500m corruption in PIA, says PTI". Pakistan Today. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  27. ^ a b "Railways' 2009-10 audit highlights massive corruption and losses". Pakistan Today. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  28. ^ a b "LHC seeks assistance from DAG in case against Gilani, family". The Express Tribune. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  29. ^ Iqbal, Nasir (26 April 2012). "Down but not out". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  30. ^ "Corruptions Perceptions Index 2023: Pakistan". Transparency.org. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  31. ^ "CPI 2023 for Asia Pacific: Regional Stagnation Marked by Inadequate Delivery of Anti-corruption Commitments". Transparency.org. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Pakistan: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. United States Department of State. 25 February 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  33. ^ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (5 November 2013). "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013" (PDF). Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Retrieved 29 December 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  34. ^ Abbasi, Ansar. "US starts probe into rental power projects scam". The News International. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  35. ^ Klasra, Rauf. "Modi's media apologists". Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  36. ^ Wasif, Sehrish (11 July 2013). "PMDC investigation: 40 doctors, 19 medical colleges have fake registrations". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  37. ^ "Supreme Court begins Hajj corruption hearings". Dawn. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  38. ^ "Hajj corruption case". Dawn. Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  39. ^ "Arrests made, warrants issued in Nato container case". Dawn. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  40. ^ Khan, Azam (17 May 2012). "Rs26 billion corruption: NAB given 3 months to probe steel mills case". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  41. ^ Khan, Iftikhar A (22 June 2012). "Court orders FIA to continue probe into NICL land scam". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  42. ^ "NICL corruption case". Dawn. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  43. ^ "Ephedrine Quota Case". Awaz TV. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  44. ^ Wafayi, Mokhtar; Bin Aziz, Haris. "Pakistani media's fight against corruption: A Case Study for Afghan Media". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  45. ^ Khan, Mehwish (11 May 2013). "15 Election Rigging Videos From Pakistan That Went Viral on Social Media!". ProPakistani blog. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  46. ^ Haider, Irfan (2015-07-23). "JC finds 2013 elections 'fair and in accordance with law'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  47. ^ Kapadia, Faisal (22 June 2013). "The power of one Pakistani". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  48. ^ "The power of social media". The Nation. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  49. ^ Attaa, Aamir (14 June 2012). "Historic Win: Social Media Beats Corrupt Media". ProPakistani blog. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  50. ^ Transparency International Pakistan (2002, p. 27)
  51. ^ Transparency International Pakistan (2010, p. 131)
  52. ^ "Police, judiciary among most corrupt institutions in Pak". NDTV. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  53. ^ Boone, Jon (15 January 2013). "Pakistan supreme court orders arrest of prime minister on corruption charges". The Guardian. Islamabad, Pakistan. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  54. ^ "No merit, only corruption qualifies for a promotion in the judiciary". The Express Tribune. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  55. ^ Transparency International Pakistan (2010, p. 189)
  56. ^ Hashmi, Tariq Mahmood (14 April 2008). "A need for uniform education system". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  57. ^ Dar, Humayon (24 June 2012). "Private schools – quality of education in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  58. ^ Mirza, Iqbal (2 October 2013). "Global Corruption Report Pakistan's education sector affected by corruption: TI". Business Recorder. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  59. ^ Nature (2010)
  60. ^ "Education is one of the most corrupt sectors". The Express Tribune. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  61. ^ Ahmed, Amin. "'Ghost schools' cause leakage of billions: report". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  62. ^ a b Transparency International Pakistan (2010)
  63. ^ a b US Department of State (2011, p. 51)
  64. ^ "Land services, police most corrupt in Pakistan: Transparency International". The Express Tribune. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  65. ^ Transparency International Pakistan (2010, p. 5)
  66. ^ "Pakistan Police taking bribe". YouTube. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  67. ^ "Corrupt Lahore Police taking bribes!!". YouTube. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  68. ^ "Pakistan police in rape, corruption probe". The New Zealand Herald. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  69. ^ a b c Transparency International Pakistan (2002)
  70. CricInfo. ESPN
    . 28 August 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  71. ^ "Pakistan cricketers and agent jailed for betting scam". BBC News. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  72. ^ Scott, Matt (3 November 2011). "Pakistan spot-fixing players and agent sentenced to lengthy jail terms". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  73. ^ Kelso, Paul (3 November 2011). "Pakistan spot-fixing scandal: convictions of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir just one step on a long road". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  74. ^ Marsden, Sam (3 November 2011). "Cricketers jailed for match-fixing". The Independent. UK. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  75. ^ Bolton, Paul (15 November 2011). "Pakistan sets up anti-corruption unit in attempt to eradicate fixing menace". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  76. ^ "Downloads". www.pcb.com.pk. Retrieved 2021-06-02.

References

External links
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