Pakistan slides two spots on corruption index

Pakistan ranked 135th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, dropping from 133rd the previous year.

A Berlin-based watchdog released the report on Tuesday, which showed that Pakistan's corruption ranking declined by two spots on the CPI in 2024, indicating a significant rise in financial malpractices within the country's public sector.

Pakistan’s score also declined from 29 points in 2023 to 27 in 2024.

Following the report, Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) explained that the CPI was released by the Transparency International Berlin annually and the TIP play no role in data collection or calculation in the country’s score for the report.

The compiled CPI was based on assessments of governance and anti-corruption measures from independent sources worldwide.

Read: Man accused of Rs3.2bln corruption gets bail on surety bond of Rs100 by IHC

TIP chairperson Justice (rtd) Zia Perwez said that the most countries in the region, expect Oman, China, Turkiye, and Mongolia slipped from their previous positions. 

“The downside for the region has shown that Pakistan is one of the countries holding up against the overall trend,” Perwez stated,

Corruption continues to be a significant issue worldwide, with over two-thirds of nations receiving scores lower than 50 on a scale of 100 points.

François Valérian, the Chairperson of Transparency International, emphasised that corruption breeds instability, diminishes democracy, and worsens violations of human rights across the globe.

"The international community must prioritise anti-corruption efforts to counter authoritarianism and ensure a stable and just future," Valérian said.