Pakistan has seen an improvement in its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking, according to Transparency International.
The Berlin-based corruption watchdog reported that Pakistan moved up seven places, from 140th in 2022 to 133rd out of 180 countries in 2023, with a CPI score of 29 out of 100.
In contrast, India experienced a slight decline in its CPI score, dropping from 40 in 2022 to 39 in 2023. The CPI assesses the perceived levels of public-sector corruption in 180 countries, relying on 13 independent data sources and using a scale of zero to 100.
Justice (r) Zia Pervez, Chairman of Transparency International Pakistan, noted the positive change in Pakistan’s score and attributed it to policies promoting good governance and effective law enforcement. He emphasized the potential for continued improvement by implementing Transparency International’s recommendations.
The 2023 CPI highlights a lack of progress in addressing public sector corruption globally, with the average score remaining at 43 for the twelfth consecutive year.
Transparency International Chair Francois Valerian stressed the importance of investing in and ensuring the independence of institutions that uphold the law to combat corruption effectively.
Valerian called for an end to impunity for corruption, asserting that justice systems must hold wrongdoers accountable and keep governments in check.