Transparency International (TI) has, in its recently released report for 2012, once again reflected negatively on the prevalence of corruption in Pakistan. The country climbed nine points in less than a year and now it stands at No 33 position in the ranking of being the most corrupt countries, from last year’s 42nd. According to the criterion set by TI, it judged 176 countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The report reveals that a massive sum of Rs 12,600 billion has gone down the drain from the public sector organizations during the past five years. This has resulted in total destruction of organizations like Pakistan Steel Mills, PIA, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan National Insurance Company, OGDL, Ministry of Water and Power and many others. Despite the fact that the Supreme Court has taken suo motto notice of corruption cases involving these institutions the government is reluctant to take corrective measure and has instead adopted an attitude of defiance.
The tragedy is that the rulers have failed to grasp the simple fact that with such rampant corruption no foreign entrepreneur would think of investing in Pakistan. Not only this, international financial Institution would put tough conditions for releasing loans. Similarly, the donor countries would also hold their purse having no faith in institutions assigned to undertake projects. It is a crying shame for Pakistan.