Corruption woes

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Pakistan's ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index 2024 has once again slipped, from 133 in 2023 to 135 out of 180 countries. While a decline of two spots may seem marginal, it is symptomatic of a deeper malaise that has long plagued the country's governance and economy.

Since 1997, Pakistan's CPI scores have fluctuated, but the broader trend has remained discouraging. The highest score recorded was 2.7 in 1998, while the lowest dip to 2.1 came in 2004 and 2005. Decades later, the needle has barely moved in a positive direction.

Globally, corruption remains rampant, with more than two-thirds of the world's nations scoring below 50 out of 100 - a stark reminder of how entrenched the problem has become. It weakens governance, deters investment, exacerbates inequality and leaves nations struggling to find footing. For Pakistan, what makes this year's decline even more concerning is that Pakistan, despite holding up against the regional downslide, still finds itself on a downward trajectory. While countries like Oman, China, Turkiye, and Mongolia managed to either stabilise or improve their positions, Pakistan has once again failed to make meaningful progress. Pakistan's fight with financial mismanagement and political patronage continues to impede development. Despite repeated promises by successive governments to curb corruption, anti-corruption efforts are often selective, politically motivated or short-lived. Institutions meant to ensure accountability, such as FIA and NAB, have long been used as coercive tools rather than independent bodies committed to upholding integrity.

Without genuine accountability mechanisms and an end to selective justice, Pakistan will continue its downward spiral, both in corruption ranking and in the confidence of its own people. The law must be applied equally, without regard for political affiliations, military influence or bureaucratic status.