Police, judiciary most corrupt sectors in Pakistan: Transparency International survey

77 per cent of Pakistanis have said that they are disappointed with the government’s efforts to battle corruption, according to the Transparency International Pakistan National Corruption Perception Survey 2025 (NCPS 2025).

The survey, carried out between 22–29 September 2025, sampled 4,000 citizens across all four provinces. 59 percent of respondents, believe provincial governments are more corrupt than local governments. This observation is strongest in Punjab, where 70 percent of people have this opinion. 

When asked to identify the most corrupt sectors:

• 24 percent said Pakistan Police

• 16 percent said tender and procurement

• 14 percent said judiciary

Provincially, Punjab recorded the worst perception of police corruption at 34%, followed by Balochistan 22%, Sindh 21%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 20%. 

However, 66 percent of respondents said they had not been forced to pay any bribe to avail public services in the past 12 months but certain provinces reported high bribe experience, Sindh (46%), Punjab (39%), Balochistan (31%), and KP (20%). 

Economy, Health Sector & Political Finance Reform

57 percent said their purchasing power declined during the past year while 43 percent felt some improvement. Meanwhile, 58 percent (40% partially + 18% fully) agreed that the government helped stabilize the economy via the IMF programme and exiting the FATF Grey List. 

On political finance, 42% of Pakistanis demand an outright ban on business funding for political parties, another 41% want it regulated, a combined 83% want stricter rules. 

55 percent believe government advertisements should not carry party names or leaders' photos. 

Distrust in Anti-Corruption Agencies & Demand for Reform

A strong 78% of respondents want accountability platforms for anti-corruption agencies such as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), referring to lack of transparency (35%), absence of independent oversight (33%), and political victimization (32%). 

The top factors for why corruption persists, according to citizens;

• Lack of accountability (15%)

• Lack of transparency and limited access to information (15%)

• Delays in disposal of corruption cases (14%) 

Provincial Anti-Corruption Establishments (ACEs) were widely regarded as ineffective, 33% called them “non-effective,” 34% considered them “less effective.” 

Corruption in Healthcare & Charities

67 percent said corruption in healthcare severely affects lives. Hospitals were identified as the main reason (38%), followed by doctors (23%) and pharmaceutical companies (21%). 

Provincially, corruption in hospitals was perceived highest in Sindh (49%) and KP (46%), followed by Balochistan (32%) and Punjab (26%). 

23% demand strict action against pharmaceuticals, 20% call for banning private practice of public-sector doctors, and 16% want stronger regulatory capacity. 

51% believe NGOs, trusts, hospitals, and schools should not charge fees, and 53% want them to publicly disclose donor information and donation amounts. 

The report reveals a clear public demand for:

• Greater accountability and transparency in governance

• Reform of political financing and banning of political branding in government advertising

• Real reform of anti-corruption institutions 

For many citizens, the NCPS 2025 emphasizes that corruption is not just a perception, it shapes trust, economic well-being, access to services, and the overall quality of governance in Pakistan.