Details

Technical Note

Pakistan's Struggle Against Corruption

Sana Daniyal, Hamda Shahid , Chaudhry Tanveer Shahzad

INDUSTRY :

AREA : Business Government/International Economy

ORGANIZATION : Pakistan

LENGTH : 47

LUMS No : 16-300-2014-2

PUBLICATION YEAR : 2014

KEYWORDS:

Struggle against Corruption,Pakistan,Global Trends in Corruption,Social & Political Factors,Transparency,Accountibility

DESCRIPTION:

This note attempts to explore global corruption trends and its causes. Different countries have different definitions and interpretations of corruption and several organisations have established corruption indices in order to be able to qualitatively assess the presence of corruption. Since Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International is considered the most authentic index, this note uses it to analyse the global corruption trends in the public sector. New Zealand, Finland and Denmark have consistently remained the least corrupt countries while Somalia and Bangladesh have mostly been ranked as the countries with the highest amount of corruption. Regional ratings show that Western Europe has been the least corrupt region while Central Asia has shown the highest level of corruption. These global causes of corruption can be traced to various social and political factors, higher economic rents, higher discretionary powers, lower accountability, dependence on fuel exports, presence of importunate business regulations and the aspect of underground economy. Various efforts have already been initiated globally to control corruption such as the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Action Plan, the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. More specifically, this note explores corruption in the context of Pakistan. The lack of transparency and accountability, bureaucratic competition and institutional weakness are the reasons commonly cited for this problem. Measures taken to control this issue are examined, including the formation of FIA and NAB. Both FIA and NAB have shown high success rates in identifying and punishing acts of corruption. However, for corruption to be controlled, it is essential that the trust in the anti-corruption measures is restored and the agencies are protected from political manipulation. In addition, strict measures have to be taken at the grass root level to create a conscientious corruption free society.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Exploring corruption in the context of Pakistan. Amount the lack of trasnparency and accountability, bureaucratic competition and institutional weakness as the reasons commonly cited for this problem. Examin the measures taken to control this issue, including the formation of FIA and NAB.

SUBJECTS COVERED:

Business Government, International Economy