The following is a report published by Transparency International in 2002 on corruption in South Asia. According to Adil Gilani, Transparency International representative in Pakistan, it's the last formally compiled report and no recent version is available. This piece on Pakistan covers many areas ranging from the education department to hospitals and from the tax department to services of the police, underlining the fact that corruption in Pakistan is an across-the-board phenomenon:
• Of the 3000 respondents surveyed, 1,724 (57 per cent) recalled using theservices of one or more than one of the seven government departments during the past year. The department perceived to be the most corrupt was the police, followed by power and taxation.
• About 70 per cent of respondents who interacted with educational institutions cited the existence of irregular methods of gaining admission. Teachers and members of the management committee were cited as the most involved. The main causes of corruption identified were a lack of accountability and low salaries.
• Sixty five per cent of all patients visiting a hospital reported irregular admissions and 96 per cent of those who were admitted said they were victims of corruption. Hospital staff were identified as the key facilitators of corruption by 65 per cent of the users and direct extortion was reported in 60 per cent of the total cases of corruption. Lack of accountability and monopoly power were quoted as key contributing factors.
• A very high percentage (65 per cent) of users with access to electricity reported irregular processes in acquiring it; a much higher percentage reported of corruption in regular interaction with the department. (96 per cent). Meter readers and billing employees were identified as the key facilitators; extortion was reported by 72 per cent of the victims. A lack of accountability and low salaries of employees were identified as major contributory factors.
• Only eight per cent of respondents reported interactions with the land administration department. All of those who used the services of the department, however, reported incidences of corruption. Surveyors and revenue officers were identified as the major facilitators. Bribes were directly demanded in 64 per cent of cases and a lack of accountability, discretionary powers and low salaries were cited as the key causes of corruption.
• Eight per cent of respondents interacted with the tax department duringthe past year. Corruption was perceived to be rampant, with 99 per cent of users reporting corruption. A third of all incidences of bribes were paid to reduce a customer's assessed tax. Tax officers and employees of the department were identified as the major facilitators and in most cases (61 per cent) bribes were extorted. A lack of accountability was identified as the major reason for the prevalence of corruption in the tax department.
• Nearly a third (32 per cent) of all respondents reported using the services of the police during the past year. All of those who interacted with the police reported encountering corruption; one in two victims identified the police officer as the key perpetrator. Extortion was reported by 74 per cent of the respondents. A lack of accountability and low salaries were quoted as the major contributory factors.
• Only six per cent of respondents reported using the services of the judiciary during the past year; almost half of the users interacted in their capacity as a complainant. 96% of users reported encountering corruption; 44 per cent of cases involved bribing court officials. Court officials (41 per cent) and judges (24 per cent) were identified as key facilitators; in most cases (61 per cent), bribes were demanded directly. One third of the respondents said that a lack of accountability was the main factor contributing to corruption in the judiciary.
The real picture?
One could paint a rosy picture of Pakistan’s seemingly booming economic scenario. Perhaps it is a rosy one. Since we have a tendency to make long faces over issues that should otherwise make the countenance of our nation a smiling one, we take everything with a pinch of salt. Or: things are really not that hunky dory. For one look at the Human Development Report (2004) published for the United Nations Development Programme would endorse the last observation vis-à-vis Pakistan.
According to the report, as far as Human Development Index (HDI) goes, Pakistan stands at 142 among 177 countries. In the column where ‘values’ are given the country’s GDP and education have 0.49 and 0.40 HDI values respectively. Isn’t it worth mulling over? For comparison, it would be interesting to note that Bangladesh is placed at 138, with 0.47 GDP and 0.45 education, whereas India is at 127 with 0.55 GDP and 0.59 education HDI values. Unsurprisingly, Norway tops the list with 0.99 GDP and 0.99 education indices respectively.
There is another chart in the report that suggests that Pakistan has a long way to go if it’s to make its self-sufficiency dream come true. The chart indicates that with respect to ‘inequality in income or consumption’ Pakistan is placed at 142, whereas Bangladesh stands at 138 and India 127.
What does this all speak of? Where are we headed? Are we turning into an economically vibrant society? Even if we’re headed in that direction and the progress is irritatingly sluggish, one shouldn’t be grouching about it. However, one should be dead certain of the progress, and those at the helm of the affairs should stick their neck out and say that the movement is snail-like, but we’ll reach our destination no matter what.
Having said that, it is common knowledge that economic progress is inextricably linked with a congenial living environment. The law and order situation in Pakistan is anything but satisfactory. Sectarian strife, banditry, theft and moral corruption have been nibbling at the soul of our country for quite some time now. One understands that these are not the issues that can be resolved overnight, but a concerted effort must be made. For in Pakistan, not all who engage in heinous crimes are intellectually bankrupt people. There are some whose grievances must be redressed. Those who call the shots must lend an attentive ear to people from all sections of society. It wouldn’t be a bad idea.
