The high cost of our inaction against corruption

LAHORE: Pakistan’s passive civil society must assume its long-neglected role in resisting the growing tide of corruption. Experts argue that NGOs, academia, and community organisations must stop being mere bystanders and instead become active agents of change.

Corruption remains the single greatest obstacle to social and economic development in Pakistan. It erodes trust in institutions, distorts public finances, and stalls progress towards prosperity. While the public often reacts vocally to price hikes or electricity shortages, the cancer of corruption continues to spread largely unchecked by civil society.

According to the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, Pakistan ranks 133rd out of 180 countries, with a score of just 29 out of 100 -- reflecting a serious failure to curb graft. This stagnation is not merely a political issue; it is a critical developmental crisis, as corruption diverts resources intended for health, education, and infrastructure into private hands and political patronage.

It is civil society that should lead the call for reform through data-driven research and public mobilisation. Evidence-based advocacy is needed to evaluate government performance, expose abuses, and push for accountability. A passive civil society cannot hope to confront wrongdoing or ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

The fight against corruption must also include meaningful participation from the private sector. In Pakistan, businesses frequently resort to bribery and behind-the-scenes deals to win public contracts -- practices that undermine merit and fuel inefficiency. By contrast, countries like Germany and the United States have institutionalised transparent bidding systems that ensure public funds are spent wisely, and contracts are awarded on the basis of merit and compliance.

Were Pakistan to adopt similar transparent mechanisms, analysts estimate that public sector financial waste could be reduced by at least 30 per cent -- freeing up hundreds of billions of rupees annually for essential public services. But this will require both political will and reform within the private sector.

Pakistani businesses must move away from the mindset of winning contracts through connections. Success should be determined by competence and delivery. Anti-corruption practices must become embedded in corporate culture -- even if that means losing a few deals in the short term. Pressure from an awakened civil society can help deter vested interests from corrupt behaviour.

A zero-tolerance stance from the private sector would complement the work of anti-corruption watchdogs, though these institutions must also be significantly strengthened. Enforcement agencies must act swiftly, impartially, and with integrity -- especially in high-profile cases involving transnational bribery. Sadly, many investigations remain stalled by political interference and institutional weakness.

Observers stress that the state must not only punish offenders but also recognise and celebrate companies that lead by example. “Anti-corruption champions in the private sector should be made role models,” one civil society activist suggested. “Recognition can be as powerful as regulation.”

In the end, real change will come only when citizens demand integrity in governance and business with the same passion that they demand electricity or jobs. Until then, corruption will continue to drain not only public resources -- but Pakistan’s future.