CPI Report 2022: The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2022 was released on Tuesday, in which Pakistan failed to make any improvement and continued its position this year. According to the latest CPI report, Islamabad is ranked 140 out of 180 countries – no change from last year’s position. The debt-ridden country’s latest ranking shows leaders have ignored anti-corruption efforts, with corruption levels remaining stable across the region.
The index scores 180 countries and territories around the world based on perceptions of public sector corruption, using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk and consulting companies, think tanks and others. Is.
As per CPI, the scores reflect the views of experts and businessmen. The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very fair).
Pakistan has the highest history of corruption
It is worth noting that since its existence in 1947, Pakistan has been directly grappling with the problem of corruption after the partition of India. As a result, Pakistan inherited not only the British legal framework, but also key institutions with its powerful bureaucratic elite trained to serve British rule. Furthermore, Pakistan’s anti-corruption laws were established to protect the political entity rather than society at large.
Considering this, it is not surprising that anti-corruption laws were virtually sidelined in the public interest. According to the European Foundation for South Asian Studies, an independent think tank, subsequent shifts between military and civilian institutions due to several successful coups further reduced the effectiveness of anti-corruption bodies.
The situation worsened under Imran Khan’s rule
The situation in Pakistan has deteriorated tremendously since Imran Khan took over as the prime minister. In 2019, Pakistan was ranked 120 out of 180 countries, in 2020 it was 124, and further worsened to 140 last year.
“In some of the world’s most populous countries, corruption is worsening and governments are restricting basic rights and freedoms that allow people to hold those in power accountable. Leaders in the Asia Pacific must recognize that inclusive growth must come with efforts to curb corruption, said Ilham Mohamed, Asia regional advisor at Transparency International.
“With elections due across the region in 2023, it is time to listen to the voice of the people and recommit to governments everywhere to stop the rot of corruption,” Mohamed said.
Where does India stand?
Notably, India’s score remained unchanged at 85, however, the report raised concerns over the country’s democratic status.
Earlier in 2021, according to the index, India’s rank increased by one place to 85 from 86 in 2020. Except for Bhutan, all of India’s neighbors are ranked below it.
According to the latest CPI report, “In India (40), considered the world’s largest democracy, the government continues to consolidate power and limit the public’s ability to hold itself accountable.” “They detain more and more human rights defenders and journalists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA),” he said.
Notably, Denmark (90), Finland, New Zealand (87) and Norway (87) topped the list. While Somalia, Syria and South Sudan are at the bottom of the chart with 12, 13 and 13 points respectively.
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