In 2023, Pakistan witnessed a notable improvement in its standing on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ascending seven places from 140th to 133rd among 180 countries. Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organization, published this data, indicating a positive shift in Pakistan’s perceived levels of corruption within its public sector.
The CPI employs a scale ranging from zero to 100, where zero denotes high corruption levels, and 100 reflects a very clean environment. Pakistan’s 2023 CPI score was 29, a slight improvement from its 2022 score of 27. While the progress is commendable, the report underscores that globally, the fight against public sector corruption has been sluggish, with most countries making minimal advancements.
Denmark maintained its lead on the index for the sixth consecutive year, exemplifying a robust anti-corruption environment. Conversely, nations like Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, South Sudan, and Yemen occupied the lowest ranks, primarily attributed to prolonged crises plaguing these regions.
The report draws attention to the critical link between access to justice and corruption, emphasizing the pivotal role independent institutions play in upholding the rule of law. Transparency International advocates for substantial investments in these institutions and underscores the need to ensure their autonomy to effectively combat corruption.
Leaders are urged to prioritize the establishment and maintenance of independent bodies, as this is identified as a key strategy in the ongoing battle against corruption. By highlighting the correlation between corruption and access to justice, the report provides a comprehensive perspective on the challenges countries face in fostering transparent governance and calls for concerted efforts to fortify institutional independence globally.
