Tariq Mahmood Awan

The majority of them are not civil servants but hardcore white-collar criminals. It is the one-liner story of the bureaucracy of Pakistan. They will fabricate documents, fudge data, manipulate laws, and replace documents at will for little benefit and manage fear.

White-collar crimes perpetrated by professionals entrusted with authority have become deeply ingrained in Pakistan’s bureaucratic system. Despite existing legal frameworks and institutions, this pervasive issue continues to impede the nation’s socio-economic and political development. My argument considers the historical roots, current state, and potential solutions to address white-collar criminality within Pakistani bureaucracy. It sheds light on how these crimes have evolved, their impact on society, and the disturbing trend of occasional acceptance and even reward within the system.

White-collar crimes, unlike their more visible counterparts, operate in the shadows. These non-violent offenses, often motivated by financial gain, are committed by individuals entrusted with professional and administrative responsibilities, including public servants within Pakistan’s bureaucracy. This phenomenon significantly threatens the country’s well-being, jeopardizing stability and progress across various sectors.

The culture of white-collar criminality in Pakistani bureaucracy has a long and concerning history, with roots tracing back to the colonial era. Unfortunately, this legacy of corrupt practices persisted after independence, impacting the very foundation of the civil service.

Bureaucratic white-collar crimes encompass a diverse range of offenses, often veiled by bureaucratic processes. These can include manipulating budgets and data to hide inefficiencies or embezzlement, fabricating documents to secure approvals or benefits, taking kickbacks or bribes for preferential treatment, and even ghost payrolling – creating fictitious employees to siphon funds. The bureaucratic maze can provide a cloak for these crimes, making detection and prosecution difficult.

To begin with, the establishment of civil service in Pakistan hinges on a fraudulent agreement. The establishment of Pakistan’s civil service was marred by irregularities, setting a troubling precedent. The so-called agreement was not actualized and fraudulently imposed without lawful authority. Since then, various forms of malfeasance have plagued the bureaucratic machinery. The culture of bureaucratic work and operations allows white-collar crime. The strength of bureaucracy is their monopoly of files. Bureaucrats manipulate official records to suit their interests, creating false narratives that distort reality. They can easily ally with political executives and other supervisory offices. Civil servants tamper with files at will. They easily spin the law with administrative compulsions. 

Data Fudging is common. Statistical data is tampered with to present a more favorable picture or conceal inefficiencies within the system.

Document Replacement is a norm. Original documents are replaced with altered versions, effectively hiding irregularities and potentially skewing outcomes. Cutting and Editing are carried out to manipulate the record. Crucial information is selectively removed or edited from documents, allowing for the manipulation of bureaucratic processes and decisions.

Pakistan boasts institutions like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and various anti-corruption bodies. However, their effectiveness in curbing white-collar crimes remains limited. Despite their mandate to investigate and prosecute offenders, the impact seems negligible. Unfortunately, these organizations are unable to investigate their scheduled offenses due to capacity and political motives. Therefore, white-collar crime in the bureaucracy is not a shame but a reward for civil servants to make their masters happy. A reader can easily comprehend the extent of white-collar crimes prevalent in the bureaucracy of Pakistan that allegedly even, it is not an issue for civil servants to replace the results of elections by tampering with Form 45 to consolidate fabricated results on Form 47. 

The consequences of white-collar crimes extend far beyond mere financial losses. They create a ripple effect that negatively impacts Pakistani society in several ways. The perception that white-collar criminals are immune to prosecution breeds feelings of disillusionment and a sense of double standards within the public. When resourceful individuals evade consequences for their actions, trust in the justice system is eroded, potentially leading to social unrest. Instances like the manipulation of election results (as allegedly occurred in the 2024 elections) severely undermine democratic processes and public trust in the bureaucratic system. This bureaucratic white-collar criminality has eroded the governance system’s functional administration, merit, and transparency. Then, it is even more unfortunate that these white-collar criminals are rewarded rather than punished. It goes on to show the moral crises and collapse of administration in Pakistan. 

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of white-collar criminality in Pakistani bureaucracy is its occasional acceptance and even reward. In some instances, prioritizing personal gain takes precedence over ethical considerations. This can lead to the promotion of bureaucrats who engage in corrupt practices, perpetuating the cycle of corruption within the system. The higher the position, the harder the white-collar criminal bureaucrat will be.

Most civil servants in Pakistani bureaucracy are not professional, honest, and lawful but somewhat hardcore white-collar criminals. They are always ready to sell their souls to devils. They will be committing all white-collar crimes for their petty interests of postings, promotions, perks, and privileges. 

Therefore, curbing white-collar criminality in Pakistan’s bureaucracy is critical. A multi-pronged approach with proactive measures is essential to combating these crimes. But the crucial question is, who will do it? It is the constitutional and legal mandate of the legislature and political executive to hold civil servants accountable. Furthermore, will the political executive do it? How can they do it when they are also elected through fabricated electioneering? Still, the question remains unanswered. Who will hold civil servants accountable for their white-collar crimes? Only a people-backed elected political executive and legislature can do that. Accordingly, elections must be held transparently and elected to represent the people’s will. 

A democratically elected government can implement the rule of law in the country. Then, enforcing stricter laws and harsher penalties can be a strong deterrent for potential offenders. Strengthening institutions and promoting transparency within the bureaucratic system can significantly curb opportunities for malpractice. Inculcating strong ethical values through mandatory training programs for bureaucrats is crucial to prioritizing public interest over personal gain. Consistent and unwavering enforcement of the law is paramount. Regardless of position or influence, white-collar criminals must be held accountable for their actions. Hence, we must take these white-collar criminals as hardcore criminals. 

Pakistan cannot afford to tolerate white-collar crimes within its bureaucracy any longer. Upholding the rule of law and ensuring ethical conduct are not just ideals but critical necessities for the nation’s progress and stability. By implementing the proposed solutions and fostering a culture of integrity, Pakistan can begin to dismantle the deeply entrenched system of white-collar criminality and pave the way for a brighter future.

Please, subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com