CSS 2019 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Corruption Elimination Part of Pakistan’s Governance System
The following question of CSS Current Affairs 2019 is solved by Sir Ammar Hashmi, the best Current Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Corruption: A hindrance to the development of Pakistan
3-Corruption elimination strategy as part of the Governance system
- ✓Institutional Reforms
- ✓Digital Governance and E-Government Initiatives
- ✓Transparency and Accountability Measures
- ✓Whistle-blower Protection and different Incentive Programs
- ✓Judicial Reforms and Legal Enforcement
- ✓Public Awareness and Education
4-Singapore’s Transformation: A Case Study
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain, involving bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, and the manipulation of government and public resources. It is widespread in Pakistan, which extends to every sector from government to judiciary, police, education, health services and military. It is challenging to address corruption in a system plagued by institutional weaknesses, corrupt practices and political interference. Pakistan’s institutions often lack independence and are vulnerable to manipulation, undermining their credibility and effectiveness. Its impacts extend beyond economic losses to handicap governance by weakening institutions and creating a culture of impunity. Effectively integrating anti-corruption strategies in both the public and private sectors requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that addresses the systemic, institutional, and cultural roots of corruption. Pakistan must adopt strategies tailored to its socio-political context, ensuring that reforms are realistic and sustainable.
Corruption: A hindrance in the development of Pakistan
“Corruption is ‘Robin Hood in reverse’ – it steals from the poor and vulnerable, to give to the rich and powerful.” Sandie Okoro, World Bank Senior Vice President
Corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain, involving bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, and the manipulation of government and public resources. In Pakistan, corruption has a severe impact on governance and economic development, eroding public trust and deterring foreign investment. For instance, Transparency International consistently ranks Pakistan among the most corrupt nations in its Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting ongoing challenges despite efforts to address the issue. Annually, with billions of dollars in losses, the economic cost is staggering and hinders development, healthcare, and education. Not only this, but corruption perpetuates disproportionality and inequality that affects marginalized communities, hindering the nation’s overall growth. Actually, in Pakistan, its impacts extend beyond economic losses to handicap governance by weakening institutions and creating a culture of impunity. The problem lies in the persistence of public procurement, where a lack of accountability and transparency leads to inflated costs and substandard projects, which drain national resources that could otherwise be used for development. Efforts to curb malpractices in Pakistani society are insufficient due to the deep-rooted corruption and inadequate enforcement of anti-corruption laws, making it a formidable challenge to overcome.
Corruption elimination strategy as part of the Governance system
· Institutional Reforms:
Institutions play a crucial role in combating corruption, but if corruption persists in society, it indicates that serious reform is necessary. Pakistan should prioritize strengthening its accountability mechanisms and governance. One crucial reform is the enhancement of the effectiveness and independence of anti-corruption institutions, such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). In Pakistan, these institutions usually face political interference, which undermines their capacity and hinders their impartial function. These bodies must operate independently of external pressure and be adequately resourced, which can significantly enhance their ability to investigate and prosecute corruption. In Pakistan, corruption remains a significant barrier to progress. For example, the National Accountability Bureau has recently faced severe criticism for alleged partiality toward politicians and misuse of power in targeting opposition politicians who are critical of the ruling party. Moreover, recent wheat and sugar scandals, in which billions of dollars were siphoned off due to price manipulation, have highlighted how corruption is deeply embedded in the government. Additionally, Transparency International reported in 2023 that 87% of the Pakistani population believes that the police and judiciary are corrupt, which reflects a lack of trust in institutions supposed to uphold the law.
· Digital Governance and E-Government Initiatives:
Digitalization and e-government initiatives can play a significant role in corruption elimination. It will help enhance transparency, reduce human intervention, and streamline public services, thereby limiting opportunities for corrupt practices. Recently, several advancements have been made, including the Pakistan Citizen Portal, which enables citizens to report issues directly to government departments. This provided a transparent mechanism for resolving complaints and enhancing accountability. Additionally, the e-procurement system is another significant step, automating procurement processes and minimizing direct interaction between officials and vendors. This has notably reduced bribery and favoritism so far. Pakistan’s Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has also adopted online procurement to ensure competitive bidding and transparency, which has been instrumental in curbing corruption in public contracts. The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics reported that this shift toward digital governance will not only control corruption but also enhance the overall efficiency of public services, making governance more responsive and reliable.
· Transparency and Accountability Measures:
Transparency and accountability in a society foster a more open government, where all actions and decisions are subject to scrutiny. Recently, in Pakistan, one of the key initiatives has been the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) laws, which not only empowers the public to request information from public bodies and officials but also holds them accountable. For example, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have recently enacted effective RTI laws, which are crucial in exposing corrupt practices and promoting transparency in governance. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) plays a pivotal role in accountability efforts, including recovering billions of misappropriated funds and targeting corrupt officials. As of 2023, NAB has reportedly recovered PKR 821 billion, demonstrating its commitment to financial accountability. However, it has also been criticized for its inconsistency in these efforts, along with accusations of political partiality undermining public trust in its operations.
From examples around the globe, Estonia can serve as a role model for Pakistan, which has efficiently utilized accountability and transparency measures to reduce corruption. Its e-governance systems and public disclosure of officials’ assets create a high level of transparency, rebuilding public trust and reducing corruption.
· Whistle-blower Protection and different Incentive Programs:
These programs are crucial for encouraging individuals to report corrupt activities without fear of retaliation. In current scenarios, Pakistan lacks legal frameworks to protect whistleblowers, which is a significant barrier to fighting corruption. Pakistan has laws, such as the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Ordinance 2019, but these laws often lack effective implementation, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable to job loss, physical threats, and harassment.
The effectiveness of these laws is evident in the United States. In this global leader, the Whistleblower Protection Act and incentive programs have empowered citizens to report fraud and corruption without fear, and they are awarded millions of dollars in compensation. This has significantly deterred corrupt practices in private and public sectors. For instance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States has awarded over $1 billion to whistleblowers since the inception of the program in 2012. It demonstrates the impact of monetary incentives in conjunction with protection measures. Serious efforts and effective implementation strategies could help Pakistan address and mitigate corruption practices at all levels of governance.
· Judicial Reforms and Legal Enforcement:
Pakistan’s judiciary has long struggled with inefficiencies, a lack of capacity, and outdated laws, all of which have hindered its efforts to combat corruption. Judicial reforms and stricter legal enforcement can effectively reduce corruption by ensuring swift trials. It will enhance public trust in the legal system and deter corrupt behavior. Pakistan ranked poorly on the rule of law indicators of the World Justice Project, particularly in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Delays in court proceedings, with cases dragging for years, eventually reduce the effectiveness of the legal system. The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan reported in 2023 that over two million cases are pending in courts across the country, underscoring the need for prompt judicial reforms. Let’s consider India as an example; its Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act has made anti-corruption courts that expeditiously handle cases, a model that Pakistan could emulate.
· Public Awareness and Education:
Public awareness and education are foundational elements that foster transparency and accountability within any society. Educated citizens are aware of their rights and the dangers of corruption, enabling them to hold public officials accountable and strengthen governance structures. Likewise, awareness campaigns play a crucial role in this effort; for example, NAB has actively promoted slogans against corruption, such as “Say No to Corruption,” to instill a sense of responsibility among citizens. These television, social media and mobile phone campaigns target various sectors and encourage people to report corrupt practices. To further deepen this sense, anti-corruption education should be incorporated into school and university curricula. This enables students to learn about good governance, ethics, and the economic costs of corruption, thereby fostering a generation of citizens who value integrity and honesty. Community engagement, including workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions, also plays a critical role. For example, Transparency International Pakistan has played a crucial role in educating various sectors of society, including professionals, public officials, and students, about the legal and ethical implications of corruption.
Singapore’s Transformation: A Case Study
Singapore has transformed from a nation plagued by corruption to one of the cleanest countries in the world today. This change was driven by comprehensive anti-corruption strategies and strict implementation, including strict laws, public awareness, strong institutions and a relentless commitment to ethical governance. From Singapore’s success, valuable lessons can be drawn for Pakistan. In the 1960s, when Singapore was plagued by corruption, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and established the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which has sweeping powers to prosecute corruption at all levels. Strict laws and severe penalties were enacted, from which even high-ranking officials were not immune. The main focus of the government was public sector reform e.g. salaries of government employs were raised to reduce temptation for bribery, citizens were educated against corruption and meritocracy and transparency was prioritized which result as, Singapore consistently ranking among the least corrupt countries standing at fifth place on Transparency International’s Corruption index whereas, Pakistan at 140th among all 180 positions.
Critical Analysis
Less corruption results in higher economic growth, attracts global investments, and boasts a GDP per capita, as seen in the case of Singapore, which has a GDP of over $65,000 per capita. In contrast, persistent corruption hinders Pakistan’s development, with a GDP of $1,500 per capita. Corruption costs Pakistan a loss of $13 billion which cripples infrastructure development, education and healthcare. Pakistan must learn from successful models, develop a tailored approach to address its unique socio-political and economic realities, and ensure that anti-corruption measures are not only part of the governance system but also practical and sustainable in practice.
Conclusion
Effectively integrating anti-corruption strategies in both the public and private sectors requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that addresses the systemic, institutional, and cultural roots of corruption. Pakistan must adopt strategies tailored to its socio-political context, ensuring that reforms are realistic and sustainable. The key to this is strengthening institutions, independence, and accountability of anti-corruption entities, applying judicial reforms for justice, and promoting cultural integrity through public awareness and education. Moreover, a non-partisan approach to politics and governance is crucial to sustain anti-corruption efforts. By addressing these issues, Pakistan can establish a more transparent and accountable system, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on corruption and promoting economic and social progress.
“There is no compromise when it comes to corruption. You have to fight it.”
( A.K. Antony- A Former Minister of Defence of India)
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