A latest survey of the Transparency International has revealed that corruption is not confined to only one region or one country, but it more or less prevails in every nation of the world. Corruption is rampant in Pakistan though the country has improved its image by two points and has moved up from 30 to 32 out of 100 — again improving its ranking by nine spots to 61 in the list of most corrupt countries in 2016 from 52 a year ago. The survey also reveals that at least 900 million people in the Asia-Pacific region have paid illegal gratification to the government officials at a certain point of time. At least 22,000 people were consulted across 16 countries in the Asia Pacific region and were asked about their experience with corruption. However, over one in four of them had paid a bribe to get their jobs done. At least 40 percent Pakistanis admitted that they paid bribe in the form of a gifts and favours. The police emerged as the top earner in the list of public services sector. The poorest segment of society have the highest number in paying a bribe which shows how the force cries loud enough for an urgent overhaul.
Islam strictly prohibits bribery in any shape and form and disallows offering of even gifts to government officials. However, it is dilemma of this country that it is listed as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. The police department is the legacy of the colonial era and it cannot be reformed by any means. The only panacea is to establish a new civil force and not a single official from the existing police cadre should be included in it. The motorway police is the best precedent to qualify this suggestion. The survey notices that 35 percent Pakistanis have perception that corruption has increased in the last one year.The country obtained a score of 32 on the Transparency Index earlier this year, which is two points higher than the previous year.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has successfully persuaded the Swiss authorities to reveal the accounts data of the Pakistani depositors. He told the National Assembly that Pakistan and Switzerland are going to sign an agreement on exchange of information regarding bank accounts. The agreement will enable the Pakistani authorities to exchange information on tax-evaded money. The minister also mentioned the media reports that up to $200 billion illegal money has been stashed in the Swiss banks. If the government manages to recover this stolen money, Pakistan can pay back all the loans with interests and the country will rid of foreign loans forever.
