TIP study ranks the courts and police as the most corrupt institutions
Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has published its National Corruption Perception Survey 2023, revealing that the judiciary is ranked among the top three most corrupt institutions in Pakistan. The police are identified as the most corrupt, followed by tendering and contracting, and the judiciary. The Education and Health departments are rated as the 4th and 5th most corrupt institutions. Additionally, the survey highlights the Local Government, Land Administration, and Customs, Excise, and Income Tax as the 6th, 7th, and 8th most corrupt, respectively.
Regarding public service delivery, the survey indicates that the average expenditure on bribery was highest for the judiciary (Rs25,846). In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), citizens paid the highest average bribe to access the judiciary (Rs162,000).
In Punjab, citizens paid the highest average bribe to access the police (Rs21,186), while in Balochistan, citizens paid the highest average bribe to access health (Rs160,000).
The NCPS 2023 findings show that a majority of Pakistanis (68%) at the national level believe that accountability institutions such as NAB, FIA, and Anti-Corruption Establishments are used for political victimization. Additionally, 60% of Pakistanis at the national level feel that accountability institutions should be abolished, as they are perceived to have failed in controlling corruption.
At the national level, 75% of citizens consider the private sector to wield too much power and influence, leading to corruption. The majority (36%) view the role of anti-corruption institutions as "ineffective" in curbing corruption in Pakistan.
According to the NCPS 2023, the primary cause of corruption at the national level is identified as the Lack of Merit (40%). At the provincial level, in Sindh (42%), KP (43%), and Balochistan (47%), lack of merit is considered a significant cause of corruption. In Punjab (47%), the main cause of corruption is perceived to be the use of state institutions by bureaucracy for personal gains. In efforts to combat corruption, 55% of Pakistanis at the national level advocate for the immediate disclosure of public officials' assets on government websites, and 45% emphasize the resolution of corruption cases by accountability courts within 30 days.
Nationwide, 47% of Pakistanis identify corruption as the primary obstacle impeding Pakistan's progress. On a national scale, 62% of Pakistanis believe that corruption and unethical practices contribute to environmental degradation and worsen the effects of climate change in the country. Additionally, 67% feel that provincial and local governments do not sufficiently consider public opinions in shaping climate policies and actions.
At the national level, a significant 76% of Pakistanis have never filed any Right to Information (RTI) requests. Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) conducted the National Corruption Perception Survey 2023 through its partner organizations in all four provinces from October 13, 2023, to October 31, 2023,
with 1,600 respondents (400 respondents from each province). TIP has conducted National Corruption Perception Surveys eight times over the past 23 years.
