The Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) has called for whistleblower protection and effective implementation of anti-corruption reform in Pakistan.
Transparency in procurement is a high priority, according to a TI report launched on Wednesday alongside new TI corruption perceptions index showing rampant corruption in 60 countries, including Pakistan.
"In spite of more vigorous enforcement of anti-corruption laws under the regime of President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan is still perceived to have an unacceptably high level of corruption," said Shaukat Omari, Executive Director of TI, Pakistan, while speaking on the occasion of the launch of a new study into the state of Pakistan's institutions to combat corruption. He praised as an "excellent document" the comprehensive national strategy to tackle corruption, formulated in 2002 by the National Accountability Bureau. He, however, cautioned that "more work is needed to implement the strategy".
The strategy was drawn up with the participation of a wide spectrum of society. However, according to the national integrity systems, 'TI country study report Pakistan 2003', published on Wednesday, implementation is shown to have been less than wholly effective. "With the commitment to integrity emphasised by the newly formed cabinet, under the able guidance of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan has another opportunity to speed up implementation. This opportunity must not be lost."
TI Pakistan is the national chapter of TI, the leading non-governmental organisation devoted to fighting corruption world-wide.
The TI report points to an urgent need to address civil service reform, to tackle issues such as the 'living wage', a clear code of conduct for civil servants, clear rules on conflict of interest and nepotism, and effective monitoring of implementation, including the removal of corrupt officials. Discretionary powers must be significantly reduced, states the report.
An easy complaints mechanism for citizens and colleagues alike, as well as "whistleblower" protection are also needed, it says.
The national integrity systems 'TI country report Pakistan 2003' states: "It is a common perception, both in civil society and in government, that corruption at the top levels of government has significantly declined but at the middle and lower levels corruption still thrives almost unabated." The report, which was made possible with the funding of UK government's department for international development, identifies some priority areas for reform.
In the TI corruption perceptions index 2004, Pakistan scores 2.1 against a clear score of 10, indicating persistent rampant corruption. In the corruption perceptions index, Pakistan has consistently featured among the most corrupt 10 percent of countries ranked, with scores ranging between 2.1 and 2.7.
"This is not a very enviable position," states the national integrity systems TI country study report Pakistan 2003.
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