Corruption has affected almost every organization and every sector of Pakistan. It affects petty civil servants in government offices where bribes have to be paid for even doing some basic paperwork, and it has led to the scandal of embezzlement of billions of dollars. It's a national catastrophe. This ever-present phenomenon puts a strain on the daily lives of citizens, the development of the nation, and the faith, the people have in their authority figures. For Pakistan, it goes beyond the fact that corruption is a scandal. Instead, it is a cancer deeply embedded in its culture, economy, and politics.
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A photo that reflects the society of PAKISTAN, like how corruption can destroy the country's Infrastructure, Judiciary, Army, Constitution, and also Economy by Curious Pakistan. |
Governments over the years have tried to oppose corruption. Politicians commit to being accountable for reforms and creating a good government. Unfortunately, these commitments are fivefold because the roots of the corrupt are too strong and deep. It is important to remember that this is not an issue to be resolved on the surface. Still, it has to do with the evolution of power, within the history, culture, and institutions of society, the various forms it takes, and the effects that it has. Only then can we think about how change could be achieved.
The Genesis of Corruption in Pakistan is rooted in its own history. Post-independence in the year 1947, a colonial system of administration based on control instead of service was brought to Pakistan. The bureaucracy, which was more efficient during the British period and was for collecting taxes and upholding laws, was not made accountable to the general public. This system never received any radical changes needed to meet the needs of a sovereign nation. Such scenarios coupled with rampant political struggles and the absence of any political leader with a goal during the formative years of Pakistan aggravated governance issues. In Pakistan, for instance, early politicians misapplied state resources for themselves to their parties (in the early years of independence) thereby laying the groundwork for institutionalized corruption.
The military coups that interrupted the democratically elected government made situations worse; all the regimes focused on power sectors resulting in total control of institutions. The history of neglect happened to be fertile for such corruption to thrive.
The Endemic Nature of Corruption in Pakistan Society
In today’s Pakistan, corruption seems to have become part and parcel of daily life as people are increasingly turning a blind eye to its existence. It is not uncommon for someone to say, this is the only way to get things done in a well-structured but inefficient bureaucratic order. Whether it involves bribing government officials to get things done quickly or securing high-position jobs through personal connections– there’s no escaping corruption.
Then there are commonly used phrases, ‘Sifarish lagani hai’ (you need to have someone refer you who is in the position to do so), ‘Thoda chai pani dena padega’ (you will have to pay a little extra) which go not just as colloquia but also convey how societies view corruption more broadly. This is how society permits the existence of an economy where unethical practices are commonplace and forms establish and operate without proper legal measures. People are quick to condemn corruption in principle, but when it is to their advantage, very few do so in practice.
Devil's Advocacy
Corruption Serving Its Purpose In Pakistan, it seems that the very institutions that are meant to serve and protect the people are seemingly the ones making the people suffer the most. The judicial, police, civil, and regulatory authorities see no support, independence, and accountability to perform their duties as expected. For example,
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The Judiciary:
The judicial system in Pakistan does not have the confidence of the people, which upholds law and order and settles issues based on rules and regulations. Over time, regular delays, forged judgments, and political influences have turned courts into places where the common suffer.
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The Police:
One of the loudest examples of the problem is police corruption. Most of the time, innocent citizens meet the police looking for peace (to sort out the problem) and end up giving them bribes. In many cases, because the political elite are untouchable and due to this the culprits can evade repercussions for their actions.
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Bureaucracy:
With widespread favoritism, incompetence, and the absence of meritocracy in government offices, the only conclusion is that service delivery is a nightmare. Most use the power of their office to solicit bribes and other favors. Political interference does aggravate these weaknesses.
Historically, institutions have always been tools that were used by governments for selfish reasons and never to allow any autonomy and impartiality in functioning.
Forms of Corruption in Pakistan
The country has many kinds of corruption each of which has its own social and economic costs.
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Bribery:
If there is any widespread corruption, it is the taking and giving of bribes that permeates nearly all interactions with the public. Be it in getting a driving license, getting a utility connection, or trying to get a business accreditation, bribes are the order of the day.
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Nepotism and Cronyism:
Contracts and government jobs are usually issued not on merit but on friendship and relations. This practice not only lowers the level of efficiency but also discourages manipulatively efficient people.
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Embezzlement of Public Taxes:
Made development budgets for infrastructure and welfare projects are usually mismanaged. Public resources supposed to build schools, hospitals, and roads are siphoned off to corrupt officials.
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Judicial Manipulation:
The significant impact of corruption in Pakistan, examining its effects on Governance, Economic development, and Societal trust by Curious Pakistan People with power abuse the weak through legal protection whereas the rights of the weak are violated. This leads to a loss of confidence in the judiciary system by the people and allows the cycle of discrimination to continue.
Corruption’s Effect in Pakistan
Corruption is a term that is quite familiar in Pakistan. Its wrongful fault lies within every dimension.
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Corruption Reduces economic growth:
Corruption is one of the impediments that stagnates development in Pakistan. It discourages investment, as investors regard Pakistan as a country full of risks. Beyond that, wastage of funds and overrating of projects finance people and countries to poverty.
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Corruption sets limitations for the rich and poor:
The gap between the haves and the have-nots is extended further by the corruption of the rich. Those who benefit from nepotism or political connections gain wealth and power, while the impoverished remain beggars, unable to afford even the basic services needed for survival.
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Loss of Confidence:
Perhaps the most detrimental effect is the loss of confidence in the actor(s) of the concerned institutions (which in this case is the government). When the case is like that of people feeling that the leaders/players are corrupt, the people lose confidence in the system and mostly become inactive in civic affairs.
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Brain Drain:
Great individuals because of frustration have resorted to looking for greener pastures in other nations because of no potential and reasonable opportunities coupled with robust levels of corruption. This surge in demand for the best brains impacts negatively Pakistan as it does not have such the best professionals.
Dealing with Corruption
In their effort to deal with issues of corruption over the years, different governments have embarked on various anti-corruption strategies but to no avail. Institutions such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were set up to handle corruption, but these institutions have come under fire for being selective with their accountability. Their credibility is further weakened by political meddling. To illustrate, NAB might be commended for proceeding with cases against eminent personalities, but it is charged with probably discriminating against the opponents politically. Such acts diminish the trust of the public in the fairness of anti-corruption campaigns.
The Big Picture:
The address of the issue of corruption in Pakistan is a complex one accompanied by multiple layers that must be addressed simultaneously.
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Institutional Reforms:
The importance of empowering and strengthening the judiciary, police, and bureaucracy cannot be overstated. This involves; appointment on merit, decreasing political influence, and increasing transparency in the activities of the organizations.
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Education:
Citizens need to be mobilized on the prevention of corruption and the act of reporting it. Social media and grassroots organizations can be important here.
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E-Governance:
Making use of technology to provide public services may limit the chances of corruption. Automated tax collection, issuance of licenses, and public procurement can improve the integrity and effectiveness of the process.
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Judicial Independence:
It is critical to the principle of accountability that the judiciary operates free from external control. The fact is that people who engage in dishonest acts such as corruption will be dealt with swiftly and should be made clear by the accelerated resolution of cases.
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Economic Opportunities:
Tackling unemployment and poverty is paramount in addressing the drivers of corruption. People are less likely to use immoral ways if they can get regular payments.
The Role of Citizens
As essential as these systemic reforms are, the citizens also have a part they must play in fighting corruption. This means individual actions such as refusal to engage in corrupt activities, reporting unethical practices, and voting to remove corrupt leaders. Corruption must also be fought against through awareness campaigns and actions aimed at promoting accountability by civil society, journalists, and activists.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the situation, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a growing appetite among Pakistan’s youth for dispossessing the corrupt and a demand for accountability. The use of social media has revolutionized the fight against corruption and injustices and helped in the building of social consensus on many issues.
In addition, many grassroots projects and some individuals are active in disseminating the culture of integrity into communities. While small in size, such activities are making waves that may one day contribute to large-scale transformations.
Conclusion
Corruption is not only a problem of governance. It is a challenge to society and action needs to be taken. Pakistan has a long journey ahead in terms of stamping out corruption. However, it is a journey that Pakistan must embark upon. It is important to engage in making institutions stronger, nurturing accountability, and providing citizens with power. The fight against corruption is not only confined to the government; this is a collective responsibility and obligation of all the residents. This cancer is the reason "why Pakistan is not able to progress" and make Pakistan better for future generations.
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Corruption Reduces economic growth:
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