New report: Corruption may threaten peoples’ security, says TIP

Says corruption has turned political parties into dynastical undemocratic structures.


News Desk April 26, 2014
Says corruption has turned political parties into dynastical undemocratic structures. PHOTO: FILE



Government needs to prioritise effective monitoring mechanisms that give citizens the power to hold their government accountable to address the critical security risks in the country, says a Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) report, issued on Friday.


The report, the first to assess the effectiveness of Pakistan´s institutions and sectors in fighting corruption, warns that undemocratic political parties, weakened justice system and deficient law enforcement structures may sow the seed of conflict as disempowered citizens no longer trust a state captured by private interests.

“Government inefficiency allows gaps in national security that will most affect ordinary Pakistanis and may result in people turning to more extremist ideologies. Rampant corruption, especially in politics, disillusions the populace, which can make them more susceptible to radicalisation, further adding to the country’s security risks,” said the TIP Executive Director Saad Rashid.

Pakistan is in red alert zone in the Failed States Index, due to issues of ‘Talibanisation’ particularly in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, unrest from the illegal drone-attacks and insurgency in Balochistan.

However, findings show those primarily tasked with protecting the security of citizens – governmental bodies and law enforcement agencies – are among the most vulnerable to corruption out of the 13 institutions and sectors analysed.

The report looks at the country’s key institutions’ – including the legislature, judiciary and public sector – capacity in terms of independence and resources, governance and the extent to which institutions are efficiently performing their role in fighting corruption.

The report says Pakistan is still struggling with abuses of power and lack of political accountability, which has been a major issue since its independence over 65 years ago.

This has turned political parties into dynastical, dictatorial and undemocratic structures and eroded trust among the populace.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2014.

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