Daily Times

Pakistan was ranked the fourth most corrupt country in the Asia Pacific a couple of months back by the international anti-graft rights group Transparency International based on the results of a survey. The survey took about 18 months for the collection of data and opinion from a 20,000 common people in Pakistan, its compilation and simulation.

The survey showed that Pakistan ranks fourth with an overall corruption rate of 40 per cent. Nearly three-fourths of the survey participants believe that the police is corrupt. The survey revealed that 7 out of every 10 people who had to deal with either the police or the courts had to bribe them. That means 70 per cent of the people dealing with the justice system have to pay a bribe just to process their cases. The situation shows endless severity and ruthlessness. The ironic part is that those who could do something about it have unfortunately remained unshaken and unmoved.

Although TV channels and print media have discussed this, the news was discussed like a routine news item. Moreover, the results did not create any commotion in the judiciary or any relevant departments.

When the practices of people engaged in the justice system are questionable, how will the country be run on fair grounds. A general perception in Pakistan that has been to prove that all the high profile extreme corruption cases in the courts need proper acquittals in a shorter amount of time. For the general public, this has the reverse effect. If they take up cases with the courts, it takes years and even decades to receive a decision from the courts.

In the prevailing situation, corruption watchdogs in the country have an immense role to play by consistently raising voice against malpractices

The culture of corruption is deeply rooted in our society, and the pace of its spread is alarming. Brutality is used by those who are supposed to dispense or facilitate justice. Bribes vary with the degree of corruption in a case. The real-estate tycoon Malik Riaz of Bahria Town admitted in an interview that, ‘every person in society has their price which can be told without any discrimination of their profession. They can be from the media, bureaucracy, army and judiciary. According to the status of the person, bribe is the key of smooth running of my projects.’

The confession of the estate-business tycoon reveals the ways in which business is carried out in Pakistan. There has been talk and hundreds of complaints against his projects including murders of the forest guards by his gunmen, encroachment on the government lands, long delays in delivering properties to its owners, and so on. However, the reputable authorities of Bahria Town dismiss all these as ‘allegations’.

When the common people are starving for rightful justice or facilitation of civic amenities, what option is left for them other than to bribe the concerned authorities. The same goes for employees of government departments and autonomous bodies. Thousands of cases are lingering on in the courts and Federal Services Tribunal. Poor people who cannot afford to bribe or those who don’t want to, suffer a lot. Their misery creates revengeful emotional crises. In many cases, severe social reaction occurs which further criminal activities or add to the culture of corruption.

In many cases, corruption has led to a brain drain as well. Those who could not get jobs on merit have left the country to search for better fortunes elsewhere. They have been quite successful after some struggle and hard work. Many industrialists and businessmen have left the country because of the bribes taken by the government officials or the ‘protection money’ by the gangsters of political parties.

Undoubtedly, the weaker social and legal justice systems lead to higher corruption and malicious practices. Political influence further negates social and legal justice, and weakens the societies norms, ethics and practices. In the prevailing situation, the local watchdogs have an immense role to play by raising voices against malpractices and corruption. Civil society shall keep on working and putting in the effort required for a transparent and accountable governance system in its place. They will also force political parties to take stringent steps against their corrupt leaders even those who are facing allegations. Many would question if watchdogs and the civil society would be able to put in place mechanisms to root out corruption or dent the corruption mafia. Though there may not be sufficient answers to such questions, I strongly believe such efforts do bring about change. The process may be slow but it is sure to deliver positive results. Positive thinking people need to team up,in the same way the corrupt gang up.

The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert. He can be reached at devcom.pakistan@gmail.com. He tweets @EmmayeSyed

Published in Daily Times, September 26^th 2017.