Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) unveiled its National Corruption Perception Survey 2023, indicating that the judiciary ranks among the top three most corrupt institutions in Pakistan.
The police are identified as the most corrupt, followed by tendering and contracting, and the judiciary. The Education and Health departments are rated the 4th and 5th most corrupt entities. Additionally, Local Government, Land Administration, Customs, Excise, and Income Tax are assessed as the 6th, 7th, and 8th most corrupt, respectively.
Regarding public service delivery, the average bribery expenditure was highest for the judiciary (Rs25,846). In KP, citizens paid the highest bribe on average to access the judiciary (Rs162,000).
In Punjab, citizens paid the highest bribe on average to access the police (Rs21,186), while in Balochistan, the highest average bribe was for health access (Rs160,000).
The NCPS 2023 reveals that a majority of Pakistanis (68%) at the national level believe that accountability institutions like NAB, FIA, and Anti-Corruption Establishments are employed for political victimization.
The survey shows that 60% of Pakistanis at the national level feel that accountability institutions (NAB, FIA, ACEs, Office of the Ombudsman) should be abolished as they have failed to control corruption.
Nationally, 75% of citizens believe that the private sector wields excessive power, leading to corruption. Additionally, 36% of citizens consider anti-corruption institutions as “ineffective” in curbing corruption in Pakistan.
The NCPS 2023 identifies the Lack of Merit (40%) as the major cause of corruption nationally, with Sindh (42%), KP (43%), and Balochistan (47%) emphasizing this factor at the provincial level. In Punjab, 47% believe the use of state institutions by bureaucracy for personal gains is the main cause of corruption.
As measures to combat corruption, 55% of Pakistanis at the national level suggest the immediate disclosure of public officials’ assets on government websites, and 45% propose that accountability courts should resolve corruption cases within 30 days.
At the national level, 47% of Pakistanis view corruption as the primary obstacle to Pakistan’s progress.
Moreover, 62% of Pakistanis at the national level believe that corruption and unethical practices contribute to environmental degradation and worsen the effects of climate change in Pakistan. Additionally, 67% feel that provincial and local governments do not consider their opinions in shaping climate policies and actions.
At the national level, 76% of Pakistanis have never filed any Right to Information (RTI) request. Transparency International Pakistan has conducted the National Corruption Perception Survey eight times in the last 23 years, the most recent being NCPS 2023, involving 1,600 respondents from all four provinces. The survey was conducted through partner organizations from October 13, 2023, to October 31, 2023.
