Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) unveiled its National Corruption Perception Survey 2023 on Saturday, revealing the judiciary as one of Pakistan’s top three most corrupt institutions.
The survey placed the police as the most corrupt institution, followed by the sectors of tendering and contracting and then the judiciary. The Education and Health departments were also highlighted as corrupt, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively.
The survey disclosed alarming trends in bribery, particularly in public service delivery. The judiciary recorded the highest average bribery expenditure (Rs25,846), with the highest bribe payments reported in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) region for judiciary access (Rs162,000).
In Punjab, police services demanded the highest bribes, whereas in Balochistan, the health sector topped the list for bribery. Furthermore, a significant portion of Pakistanis (68%) believe that accountability institutions like NAB, FIA, and Anti-Corruption Establishments are used for political victimization.
Public Opinion on Accountability Institutions and Corruption Causes
According to the survey, 60% of Pakistanis feel that existing accountability institutions should be abolished due to their failure to control corruption. At the national level, 75% of citizens consider the private sector’s excessive power and influence a major contributor to corruption.
A majority view anti-corruption institutions’ efforts as ineffective. The survey identified the lack of merit as the primary cause of corruption, with varying perceptions across different provinces. Additionally, 55% of Pakistanis suggest ensuring the disclosure of public officials’ assets on websites as a measure to curb corruption.
The NCPS 2023 also highlights a link between corruption and environmental degradation, with 62% of Pakistanis acknowledging this connection. Most believe provincial and local governments do not consider public opinions in shaping climate policies. Notably, 76% of Pakistanis have never filed any Right to Information (RTI) requests, reflecting a gap in public engagement with transparency mechanisms.
The NCPS 2023, conducted from October 13 to 31, 2023, is part of a series of surveys conducted by TIP over the last 23 years to assess corruption perception among Pakistani citizens.
