Corruption In Pakistan

NUST College Of Electrical And Mechanical Engineering

Humanities 107 - Pakistan Studies
[21-10-2011]

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: A Brief Definition and Etymology of Corruption_____________4
Chapter 2: Levels and Factors of Corruption__________________________5
2.1 Corruption in Law Enforcement Agencies___________________________________________5
2.2 Corruption in Judicial and Legal Professions_________________________________________7

Chapter 3: Steps to Curb Corruption_______________________________11

Conclusion_____________________________________________________13
References______________________________________________________14
Bibliography____________________________________________________15

Introduction
Corruption is a social evil that is rampant all over the globe, no countrys government can
conjure a record where it can safely state it had a corruption free tenure and indeed even at an
individual level no person can say that they havent been, in the least tempted to use unfair
means to gain an undue advantage over others. The problem of corruption is most prevalent
in third world countries. And like other third world countries Pakistan is also a victim of this
problem where its severity has reached a critical level.
The following document offers a step by step analysis of the problem. Each chapter will
evaluate different aspects of the problem in detail. The book contains a total of three chapters.
Chapter one gives us a brief introduction of the topic at hand.
Chapter two is divided into six sections and discusses in detail the common types of
corruption found in Pakistan and the factors responsible for them.
Chapter three is divided into three sections and provides solutions to curb corruption
followed by a conclusion.
In the end I would like to thank my brother for editing and polishing my work and my father
for being patient with my constant queries regarding the world outside.

Chapter 1: A Brief Definition and Etymology of

Corruption
Corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today.
Olusegun Obasanjo, 12th President of Nigeria.
Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of
that which has substance. ~John Henry Newman

Let us first look at what exactly is corruption. Merriam Webster describes it as impairment
of integrity, virtue or principle. The word corrupt originates from the Latin word corruptus
which means to abuse or destroy. The word itself when used as an adjective literally means
utterly broken (1)
Shakespeares well known play Hamlet compares it to a disease(2)

and its symptoms

constitute a number of practices; all of which have one thing in common, to acquire benefits
unfairly at the expense of some other individual entity. Some of the acts that constitute
corruption in Pakistan are bribery, nepotism, cronyism, fraud, etc.

Chapter 2: Levels and Factors of Corruption

Pakistan has had a consistently poor ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index, being
143rd with a score of 2.3 out of 10 in 2010 according to Transparency International (TI), 0
being the most corrupt and 10 the least. The problem has invaded every nook and cranny of
our society and even an ordinary law abiding citizen finds it difficult to avoid taking the
devious way.

2.1 Corruption in Law Enforcement Agencies

According to 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2010 surveys, the majority of respondents consistently
view the police as being the most corrupt sector of the Pakistani government. In the 2010
survey, 31% of 4,224 respondents reported paying bribes to the police. (3)(4)
According to the figures it is no doubt that our defenders of justice are seen as the root of
corruption. The most common form of corruption found among our police is the act of
bribery. Amongst the various kinds of corruption faced across the provinces, money paid
for FIR; money paid to arrest accused; money paid to avoid false arrest, are just a few
of the perversions that law enforcement forces the public to endure. For minor offences like
over speeding and traffic violations policemen have made it a habit to earn a little extra by
personally accepting a bribe instead of fining the offenders the official way. Such acts are
often caught on video with mobile cameras. And with the advent of internet several of these
videos have sprouted on YouTube showing policemen accepting bribes.
Regarding major offences, police officers even on higher posts can easily be tempted by hefty
bribes in exchange for letting the offender off the hook instead of jailing and presenting them
in court.
Not only is the police known for accepting bribes but is also notorious for giving them as
well. Many officers escape fitness and inspections by paying a sum to the inspectors. Some of
them even buy their way through promotions and higher posts.
Bribery aside, our law enforcers are also guilty of plotting with criminals themselves.
Arrested crime lord Mohammad Hassan who used to run a vehicle lifting gang admitted that

many officers were also involved and even placed orders on what vehicle they wanted lifted.
Not only will they buy off these gangs but also provide them shelter against the law. (6)
Over the years, incidents of false accusations, imprisonments and brutality by the police have
filtered through the media to the public. One such incident is of illegal arrest, torture and
fabrication of charges against an innocent man named Hayat Khan Marri over the possession
of cannabis by the Liaqatabad police and Landhi prison officers in Karachi. He was arrested
when a local resident with whom Marri had earlier had a heated disagreement, had paid him
money to falsely arrest him. (7)
Though the police might be corrupt but we must look at the factors responsible for making
them stoop down to such degrading acts. To keep the equation simple we must consider the
monthly income; minimal benefits and even more miserly retirement income combined with
poor training and gaping holes in the education system, The 2009 pay scales for the Sindh
Police range from the basic salary of PKR 2970/ up to PKR 27, 680/. With all benefits
included, the lowest salary reaches an insubstantial PKR 6983. That is roughly 83 US dollars
per month. This is at a time when the price of petrol per liter was about PKR 52.

(8)

It is no

wonder the police forces are ready to succumb to bribes. It is the only way for them to make
both ends meet and keep up with the constant price hikes of todays world.
The government also puts exceeding pressure on the police to capture and bring suspects
responsible for certain crimes while giving them an impractical time limit. The threat of
losing their jobs if not fulfilling these demands makes the officers run helter skelter and they
often resort to capturing anyone having the remotest links with the crime and torturing them
till they claim to be the criminals themselves. Thus the deeds of false accusations and police
brutality come in to play.
The criminals themselves readily pay bribes to escape jail time and get away with their crime.
But the converse is also true; i.e. the victims end up paying a bribe depending on their thirst
for justice to ensure the criminals are caught.

2.2 Corruption in Judicial and Legal Professions

In 2010, 69% of those surveyed reported that they or someone in their household was
subjected to an act of corruption when interacting with the judicial system. Of 339
affirmative respondents asked to identify the actors involved in corruption, 119 said court
employees, 84 said a public prosecutor, 50 said a witness, 44 said a judge, 29 said an
opponent lawyer, 16 said magistrates, and 12 said others.(4)
These statistics show that our law and order system is rotten right to the core, even judges and
lawyers cannot be expected to provide their unbiased services. Lawyers often make court
errands seem more complicated than they actually are. And then offer clients their help to get
the job done in a hassle free way by making them pay extra. It is also common for lawyers
not to offer services altogether by claiming their hands are full unless the client pays more
than the actual designated fees.
Judges and opposing lawyers can also be manipulated and bribed if the families of criminals
have enough influence.
At the time of university entrance tests it is common practice for magistrates to claim that
they are out of the required surety bonds and coerce their clients into buying the expensive
ones by taking advantage of their urgency.

2.3 Corruption in Government and Political Scenario

After our law and judicial system, the area where corruption is most evident is the politics of
our country.
Abuse of power is the most common form of corruption found here along with bribery and
nepotism. A government official or government minister or his/her business partner receiving
money in exchange for awarding a contract, job, promotion or approving invoices for
payment is an example of bribery.
A political party leader of a party in power ordering police to arrest a political opponent until
that opponent supports that political leader is an example of abuse of power.

Hiring or favoring ones own relatives or friend regardless of merit or qualifications falls in
nepotism.
Appointing someone positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications or to hire
someone who is not a threat to power and is a yes man to the appointer is called cronyism,
This form of corruption is most commonly seen in governments as they quickly fill posts
with people from their own political party to ensure their hold on power. The act in the long
run does not benefit the institution at all as the beneficiary is usually alien to his new field of
work and does not have the necessary skills for his post.
Electoral fraud is also very common form of corruption in the country. Perhaps the most
famous example is of Zulfiqar Alis Bhutto regime where riots erupted because of accusations
of vote rigging due to the landslide victory of his government on 7 March 1977. (9)
The primary factor why corruption exists at this level is the desire of the government and
officials to assume and retain power. By filling in their own representatives they can ensure a
strong hold and influence over every sector while satisfying those who support their power.

2.4 Corruption in Business Employment Sector

In recent times the Urdu word sifarish (recommendation for a job) has recently gained
popularity. The word is now thrown around a lot by people seeking jobs and for a reason too.
Many Pakistani firms now demand references instead of accomplishments and capabilities
of their applicants. In fact almost half of all Pakistanis (48%) believe lack of sifarish to be
the basic reason for unemployment. (10)
The reason why this reference system has gained so much popularity is the race to get
peoples near and dear ones settled with jobs. Indeed surviving in the world of today is a
challenge without a proper income source. Employers themselves see this as way to get
trusted workers in their hands. Hiring someone who you already know seems like a more
hassle free way instead of hiring a stranger and determining if they are dedicated and
trustworthy.

Not only is corruption present when it comes to hiring but is also present in dealings with
their clients in the form of adulteration. An example could be the one off spice sellers who
mixes brick dust in red chilli powder and fine sawdust with cumin power. They even mix
stearin oil, a soap ingredient, in ghee to increase its amount. (11) The thirst of increased wealth
makes traders find adulteration a way to increase their produce and thus their overall income.

2.5 Corruption in Education Sector

Even our youth are not spared from the sight of corruption. In schools- prestigious ones
included- the admission test is now regarded a mere formality and children are granted
admission as long as the parents fulfill their admission dues. It is due to this reason that
classrooms have now become overcrowded which in the long term has a negative influence
on the learning environment.
Cheating in exams is another form of corruption most commonly practiced during board
exams. At least 2,500 students have been caught so far for using unfair means during the
annual higher secondary school exams held by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary
Education (BISE) in 2011. (12)
Students argue that they cheat not only to pass exams but to get a good percentage as this is
the only way that ensures them to get admissions in good universities. Also they claim it is
much easier to copy paste instead of rote learning everything youve studied.(12)
It seems in universities themselves the cheating cycle does not stop. In the 2011 entry tests;
two leading engineering universities were forced to conduct re-tests when it was reported that
answers to the tests had been leaked and sold thus putting candidates in stress of re-taking the
tests just because of a few miscreants who cheated themselves through. (13)
The reason why corruption exists at such a level is because a good education is the key to an
honorable profession, especially in third world countries where without a bachelors degree,
one can only hope to get a job that will make ends meet let alone a secure them a life of
comfort.

2.6 Corruption in Other Aspects of Society

As of 2002, 96% of surveyed individuals reported corruption issues with electrical utility
officials during the past year (3). The most common types of corruption were billing related.
Some consumers admitted to illegally reducing their utility bills with means such a meter
tampering while others reported being harassed with inflated bills intended to solicit bribes. (4)
According to a study conducted in 2002, 99% of 256 respondents reported facing corruption
of taxation. Furthermore, 32% of respondents reported paying bribes to have their tax
assessment lowered, and nearly 14% reported receiving fictitious tax assessments until a
bribe was paid. (3)
Not even our cricket stars that are viewed as national heroes and a source of inspiration for
the young are far from corruption. It was alleged that three Pakistani players, Mohammad
Asif, Mohammad

Amir and Salman

Butt,

had

accepted

bribes

from

agent

and

bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to purposely under-perform at certain points in the 4th Test
at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, England. Undercover reporters from News of the
World secretly video-taped Mazhar Majeed accepting money and informing the reporters that
fast bowlers Asif and Amir would deliberately bowl no-balls at specific points in an over.
This was information which could be used by gamblers to make wagers with inside
information (a process known as spot-fixing). A three-man tribunal was held in 2011, and the
three players were suspended from all forms of cricket for terms of five to ten years. (14)
Above mentioned are just a few examples of corruption but it shows how deeply it has
penetrated our society. It seems that for majority of the cases the prime reason behind these
acts of corruption is the greed of money and power and the knowledge that one can get away
with employing wrong means to gain a little extra. Although in this materialistic world,
money is key for survival; preventative measure should be taken to curb unfair means that
usurp the rights of others.

Chapter 3: Steps to Curb Corruption

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One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering is bribery and corruption that really
is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand ~Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Even the father of our nation foresaw corruption as a deadly virus, a poison which could sap
the very foundation of a state and lay it open to all kinds of dangers. Thus steps should be
taken to curtail its spread in society.

3.1 Awareness Campaigns

Television and mass media can help curb corruption by starting programs and campaigns that
highlight corruption in society. Sometimes people arent even aware that what theyre doing
is wrong. Thus by bringing out how much different acts of corruption have affected ones life
and usurp the right of others, there is a chance that people will feel ashamed and think twice
before getting involved. The media can also motivate people to stand up against corruption as
well. An example of this is Shehzad Roys Djuice sponsored Khamoshi ka Bycott campaign
which urges young people to speak out and take action against social injustices and
corruption. (15)

3.2 Religious Preaching and Child Grooming

Another way to curb corruption is to make a person more morally and religiously aware so
that they know that usurping ones rights through unfair means is in fact a sin for which they
would have to face consequences. Spiritual leaders of all religions in Pakistan, be it
Christianity, Islam or Hinduism should dedicate sermons and preach against employing unfair
means.
Moral building takes place at childhood so with parents and teachers can also stress on
educating their children right from the start about the difference between wrong and right.
Atleast in this way we can ensure that our future generations and society do not follow the
path of corruption.
If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel
there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the
mother and the teacher. ~A.P.J Abdul Kalam

3.3 Strong Law

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The more corrupt the state, the more laws.

Tacitus, Senator of Roman Empire.
Awareness campaigns and Religious preaching can only go so far depending on person to
person. Introducing new laws that criminalize any form of corruption with dire consequences
would be a more effective measure with immediate results provided that the laws are
employed properly. One way is for the government to make a team that would root out
corruption from the police. Once the police force has been cleansed and organized then we
will only be just a short step away from removing not only corruption but any form of
injustice and criminal activity from the society.

Conclusion
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Summing up and analyzing all examples of corruption in this booklet and outside we can say
that corruption has become Pakistans addiction that has infiltrated every crevice of a
Pakistanis life. It is ultimately the common law abiding citizen that has to pay the price of
those who get ahead through unfair means. However the upside of this picture is that like
every other addiction, corruption too can be rooted out by will power, determination and
stringent measures. . It is a multi-faceted problem that should be countered on all possible
fronts with sincerity. We must reform ourselves. Only proper planning and strictly
implemented policies with public support can halt this growing menace.
Though it is impossible to completely remove it from any society but it is very much possible
to bring it under control; enough that a Pakistani citizen can actually hope for cooperation,
fair play and justice; enough to make this country more secure for our children and enough to
project a positive image of Pakistan on the international front. While this change may seem
hard to bring about to an outsider but to a Pakistani this would not be one of the first odds
against us that we have defied.

References
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1. "Corrupt | Define Corrupt at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com.

2. Hamlet: Corruption- an incurable disease. Moriarity, Rob.
3. "Nature & Extent of Corruption in the Public Sector" . (Transparency International
Pakistan. 2002)
4."National Corruption Perception Survey, 2010" . Transparency InternationalPakistan.
5. Pakistani police caught taking bribe July 12 2011. justscandals.com
6. Car don provides names, addresses of Pindi gangs. Shakeel Anjum. The News
Monday, August 08, 2011.
7. The Daily Times- Issue: Thursday, October 19, 2006
8. Express Tribune. Absar Kazmi. April 23 2011.
9. (Shah, 2010). From Grave Bhutto,
Mowahid Shah- Bhutto.com
10. Lack of 'Sifarish' seen as main reason for unemployment The Express Tribune
By PPI. Published: October 26, 2010
11. Pure food a dream that may never realize. The News- Mansoor Ahmad. Issue:
Sunday, September 04, 2011..
12. Reported by Sukkur controller, Mehmoodul Hassan Khokhar. Published in The Express
Tribune, May 30th, 2011. By Z Ali .
13. UET and NUST successfully cancel entry tests. Arif Khattak Islamabad, Allvoices.com
14. "Pakistan embroiled in no-ball betting scandal against England" Marks, Vic
Guardian.co.uk (London: Guardian News and Media). (2010-08-29).
15) Djuice triggers 'Khamoshi Ka Boycott' . djuice.com.pk

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