Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formation of a special committee comprising independent experts to conduct a detailed and impartial review of the latest report issued by Transparency International. The move aims to identify areas where Pakistan is lagging in its efforts to combat corruption.According to official sources, the decision marks a departure from past practices when international assessments on corruption were often overlooked. The prime minister intends to address the shortcomings highlighted in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 through consultations with provincial governments and relevant institutions. Sources stated that corruption remains a national challenge requiring a unified and comprehensive strategy. The prime minister plans to develop an effective policy response based on the recommendations of the expert committee. According to Transparency International’s CPI 2025, Pakistan scored 28 out of 100 and ranked 136th among 182 countries. In 2024, Pakistan scored 27 and ranked 135th out of 180 countries. The report noted that Pakistan’s ranking was based on data from eight independent international sources. Only the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project showed improvement, raising Pakistan’s score from 14 to 19. However, there was no significant improvement in indicators related to rule of law and law enforcement. The World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey reduced Pakistan’s score from 33 to 32, while the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index lowered the score from 26 to 25, reflecting continued weaknesses in accountability and control of abuse of power. Five other international institutions reported no significant change, indicating institutional stagnation. Pakistan’s overall score of 28 remains well below the global average of 42, while countries with low corruption levels typically score between 80 and 90. Officials said the expert committee will conduct a comprehensive review of indicators related to law enforcement, public financial management, judicial efficiency, and institutional accountability, and will propose necessary reforms. The government hopes that an independent analysis and coordinated federal-provincial strategy will not only improve Pakistan’s global ranking but also strengthen the country’s internal anti-corruption framework.
PM Orders Independent Review of Transparency International Report, Vows Stronger Anti-Corruption Measures
