In the recently released Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, Pakistan ranked 124 out of the 1800 countries. This is an annual index that ranks countries according to their perceptions of public sector corruption, and Pakistan dropped four spots over last year. This conclusion was made by drawing 13 expert surveys and assessments of business executives.
Syria, South Sudan and Somalia were at the bottom of the chart with 14, 12 and 12 points whereas Denmark and New Zealand topped it with having 88 points each. With 100 being ‘very clean’ and 0-100 being ‘highly corrupt’, Pakistan ranked 120 last year. The corruption score stands at 31 which was 32 last year, indicating that the corruption in public sector has worsened.
Chairman of Pakistan’s chapter of Transparency International Sohail Muzaffar explained that the questions asked by World Justice Programme (WJP) were regarding the Rule of Law index and the Varieties of Democracy. They talked about the corruption of government via the police, military, judiciary, executives, etc. The government is supposed to improve in these sectors, he said.
Despite the NAB claiming to have recovered Rs363 billion in the last two years, the increase in corruption yet continues. The public accounts committee too claims to have recovered Rs.300 billion. As of other countries, China has a score of 42, ranking 78 on the list. Afghanistan has that of 19, Turkey at 40, Bangladesh at 26 and India at 40 points. Countries that are seen to perform better, generally invest more in healthcare therefore tend to stand at a better position. They are also lesser likely to violate the institutional laws, the report claimed.
The chair of Transparency International Delia Ferreira Rubio added that the past year had tested the governments in ways many, adding to the higher levels of corruption out there. But yet she said, that those at the top of the CPI must instantly address their role in sustaining corruption both at home and abroad.
