Arshad Mahmood Awan
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 has once again shed light on Pakistan’s ongoing battle with corruption, as the country continues to score a dismal 27/100. This ranking places Pakistan among the most corrupt nations in South Asia and globally, underscoring the entrenched corruption challenges the country faces. Despite years of anti-corruption campaigns and promises of reform, Pakistan remains trapped in a cycle of political interference, weak governance, and ineffective institutions, making it exceedingly difficult to combat systemic corruption.
The CPI ranks 180 countries based on their perceived levels of public-sector corruption, with scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The 2024 report paints a concerning picture of global corruption, with two-thirds of the nations scoring below 50, indicating that corruption remains widespread across the world. While the least corrupt countries—Denmark, Finland, and Singapore—have strong democratic institutions and effective governance, the most corrupt nations, such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela, suffer from authoritarian regimes and fragile legal systems. In South Asia, Pakistan’s score of 27 places it above Bangladesh (23) and Afghanistan (17), but far behind India (38) and Sri Lanka (32). This continues a troubling trend for Pakistan, where corruption levels have failed to improve significantly in recent years.
Pakistan’s low CPI score is indicative of its deep-rooted systemic issues. These challenges are characterized by political instability, a weak rule of law, and a lack of judicial independence. Furthermore, anti-corruption institutions like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have been criticized for being politically motivated, inefficient, and selective in their actions. NAB’s failure to hold the powerful accountable, coupled with its perceived political bias, has rendered it ineffective in addressing the corruption that permeates Pakistan’s public sector.
Corruption within Pakistan’s public institutions has led to the mismanagement of resources, significant bureaucratic inefficiencies, and opaque decision-making processes. The inability of judicial and law enforcement bodies to prosecute high-profile corruption cases independently further erodes public trust in the state’s commitment to justice and fairness. These governance failures not only undermine Pakistan’s political stability but also hinder its economic growth. The country’s business environment suffers as a result of rampant bribery, nepotism, and financial mismanagement, deterring foreign investment and stifling entrepreneurship.
A particularly concerning aspect highlighted by the CPI 2024 is the role corruption plays in obstructing climate action in Pakistan. The country’s already weak environmental regulations are further compromised by corruption, as climate funds are misused, and powerful groups exert undue influence over policy decisions. In highly corrupt regions, environmental defenders who attempt to challenge these vested interests often face intimidation and suppression. This undermines efforts to implement meaningful climate policies and achieve sustainable development goals. As climate change continues to affect Pakistan—particularly through floods, droughts, and extreme weather—addressing corruption is critical for creating a more effective response to these environmental challenges.
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When comparing Pakistan’s performance to India, which ranks higher with a CPI score of 38, it becomes evident that institutional factors play a significant role in determining corruption levels. India has stronger institutional frameworks, more transparent governance practices, and independent oversight bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Lokpal, which help combat corruption. Additionally, India’s embrace of digitization in tax collection and public services has made it harder for officials to engage in bribery and corruption. In contrast, Pakistan’s reliance on manual processes creates ample opportunities for corrupt practices.
Furthermore, India’s implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, electoral reforms, and the presence of an independent media have helped promote accountability and transparency in governance. Pakistan, however, continues to grapple with issues such as press censorship and opaque governance, which only contribute to the continuation of corruption. Strengthening institutional independence, ensuring judicial reforms, and allowing the media to operate freely are vital steps that could improve Pakistan’s CPI ranking and foster greater accountability in the country.
The road to improving Pakistan’s CPI ranking is a long and challenging one. First and foremost, the country must ensure judicial independence. This will allow courts to make decisions free from political influence, enabling them to hold corrupt officials accountable. Enforcing anti-corruption laws without political interference is another critical step, as corruption thrives in an environment where the rule of law is not consistently applied. Transparency in governance should also be a priority, and the implementation of effective Right to Information (RTI) laws could play a key role in holding public officials accountable for their actions.
Reforming political financing is another important area of focus. The current system allows for a lack of accountability in political donations and campaign financing, which enables corruption to flourish. Streamlining political financing regulations and reducing bureaucratic corruption through automation and digitalization would be significant steps in curbing corruption in both the public and private sectors. The government must also take a stronger stance in encouraging media freedom, as a free press serves as an essential tool for uncovering corruption and holding officials accountable for their actions.
The CPI 2024 report highlights the profound impact of corruption on Pakistan’s overall development, including its economic stability and environmental sustainability. The lack of effective anti-corruption measures and institutional weaknesses continue to plague the country’s governance systems. If Pakistan is to address these challenges, it will need to take bold, decisive steps to reform its political, judicial, and economic systems. Only through comprehensive anti-corruption reforms, judicial independence, and enhanced transparency can Pakistan hope to rise above its current standing and achieve sustainable development.
Pakistan’s persistent corruption challenges are not only a major barrier to economic growth but also undermine public trust in government institutions. The country’s failure to effectively address corruption makes it harder to attract investment, implement meaningful climate action, and ensure the delivery of basic services to its citizens. With a CPI score of 27, Pakistan remains among the world’s most corrupt countries, and until serious reforms are enacted, it will continue to face significant obstacles in its pursuit of democracy, economic stability, and social progress. Tackling corruption head-on is crucial if Pakistan is to build a more accountable, transparent, and prosperous future for its citizens.
