Police seems to have built a strong relationship with the people as the latter continue selecting them for the gold medal spot - Pakistani Police has now topped the rather unwanted list of the most corrupt organizations in Pakistan, fourth time in a row.
Power ministries and the related stakeholders also won their regular slot (second most corrupt) for the third time in a row, with a lot more people perceiving them to be more corrupt than ever before.
It is pretty ironic, given that both these departments have witnessed substantial increase in government spending and also investment in the last few years.
Its also uncanny that while everybody in this country finds themselves holding day-long seminars and preparing working papers to chalk out long-term strategies, the best possible solution highlighted by the Transparency International Pakistan, is largely left on the sidelines.
In its latest report released this week, TIP unveiled that only half of the sample population has acquired an electricity connection through normal process. The other half takes the alternative route, which includes kunda system and political influence.
This is where the devil of all the evil lies - 73 percent of those with an electricity connection have faced corruption at some level, almost half of which involves meter readers and billing officials. The corruption at this level to reduce bills and revise meter readings owes a large share in creating the problem that is circular debt.
Third on the list is Land Administration, which has crept up one place to complete the victory stand, if it can be termed so. And it is not out of proportion; anecdotal evidence suggests that you would be a lucky citizen, if you have never faced corruption upon interaction with land related departments.
Such is the extent of corruption that a whopping 82 percent people have been the victim of under-the-table deals with the land administrative units.
It is naturally not surprising that Police tops the list and maintains its position; simply because irregularities at such mass level cannot be done without the service of Police.
These are crucial times for Pakistan, in which, this report will certainly create some ripples in the international community, particularly donor countries and agencies. Its time, that TIPs report is taken up seriously by the government as a case study and mirror image, to rectify irregularities and plug the loopholes.
Nothing values more than having a strong bond of trust between people and institutions, the deficit of which is hampering Pakistans economic performance. Entirely rejecting the report, just as the ANP government did, will not help a great deal in learning lessons from this exercise.
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