The Stigma of Corruption and the Decline of Good Governance in Pakistan

Abstract

The paper focuses on the contemporary governance and corruption issues of Pakistan and suggests a way forward for good governance to blossom in a corruption-free state. Pakistan stands at 126th and 117th position among 175 and 168 countries on the CPI ranking - in the years 2014 and 2015 respectively. Although, the country’s score indicates a better perceived level of public sector corruption but this is still regrettably way down on this account. Corruptions of all magnitudes are perfused in all organs of government including the executive, legislature and judiciary. Corruption severely impacts the governance processes and pushed the state into the political turmoil. The study ascertains the menace and genesis of corruption in the politics of Pakistan from the British colonial era to date. A host of measures are suggested as a way forward to expunge this malaise. The need of deliberate awareness in the masses and emergence of an awakened civil society, raucous and honest media and, independent judiciary is contemplated to curb corruption up to the desired levels.The study deduced that corruption invigorates and breeds in the absence of good governance. Establishment of independent institutions that will over time mitigates the incidence of corruption across the country.