ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made a slight improvement in the ‘Corruption Perceptions Index 2018’ released by the Transparency International on Tuesday with a score of 33 though its overall ranking among 180 countries has remained unchanged.

The country with a score of 32 on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) had ranked 117 out of 180 countries last year.

The index, which is published annually by the Transparency International, ranks countries by perceived levels of corruption as determined by assessments and opinion surveys.

Pakistan’s ranking had showed considerable improvement during the five-year term of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government as it jumped 10 positions from 127 to 117. But the ranking has failed to improve since 2016.

No change in overall ranking of 117 among 180 countries

On the release of the 2018 Index, Transparency Inter­national Pakistan chairman Sohail Muzaffar said Pakistan had to act seriously to control rampant corruption. Eco­nomic conditions could not improve till this menace was tackled, as foreign businesses checked the ease of doing business before making investment in a country, he said.

He said anti-corruption laws should be strengthened, empowering accountability agencies to easily prosecute the corrupt. He added that exemplary punishments be given to all those involved in corruption.

No preferential treatment be given to any person convicted by court for corruption, said Mr Muzaffar.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2019