Corruption in Pakistan: how to alleviate it?

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Beware of bribery

for verily it is sheer infidelity, and the briber will
not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."[Bihar alAnwar, v. 104, p. 274, no. 12]
Corruption is an evil which has played havoc with
the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
Corruption is a curse and a major hurdle to the
progress of Pakistan. According to the World Bank
estimates, more than US$1 trillion is paid in bribes
every year and according to one estimate the
cross-border flow of proceeds from corruption,
criminal activities, and tax evasion is US$3.61
trillion every year, or the equivalent of 3 to 5
percent of the worlds GDP. The African Union has
estimated that corruption costs African economies
in excess of US$148 billion a year which represents
25% of Africa's GDP. These statistics shows that
corruption is not only threat to Pakistan, but it is
also a major irritant in the development of
countries at global level.
Pakistan is facing corruption in almost every sector.
There are many types of corruption. Commonly
known types are (1) - Systemic corruption, (2)Sporadic (individual) corruption, (3) - Political
(Grand) corruption, (4) - Petty corruption, (5) Legal and Moral Corruption.

Systemic corruption is an integrated and essential

aspect of the economic, social and political system,
when it is embedded in a wider situation that helps
sustain it. Whereas, sporadic corruption is the
opposite of systemic corruption. Sporadic
corruption occurs irregularly and therefore it does
not threaten the mechanisms of control nor the
economy as such.
The third type of corruption is political corruption,
which means any transaction between private and
public sector actors through which collective goods
are illegitimately converted into private-regarding
payoffs. Political corruption is often used
synonymously with grand or high level corruption,
distinguished from bureaucratic or petty corruption
because it involves political decision-makers. This
type of corruption is common in Pakistan.
Petty corruption means a small scale, bureaucratic
everyday corruption that takes place at the
implementation end of politics, where public
officials meet the public. Petty corruption is bribery
in connection with the implementation of existing
laws, rules and regulations, and thus different from
grand or political corruption. Such corruption is
very much common in our daily lives. Whether
courts, police stations, colleges, hospitals, or any
other institution, such corruption is present

everywhere in Pakistan. Corruption in Pakistan is

rampant; almost every institution is involved in
corruption.
According to the Transparency International report
2011, Pakistan stands at 34th position in the world.
The level of corruption has reached the optimum
and it is advisable for the government of Pakistan
to take some serious action to root out this menace
from society. Corruption has a wide range of
implications for the society. Corrupt people being in
strong position deprive the poor and weak of their
due rights and share. Corruption causes inequity in
society and the gap between the rich and the poor
increases. It is also regarded as the murder of
merit. Corrupt people bypass deserving people and
appoint their relatives or supporters to lucrative
posts. A Greek statesman Pericles has described
corruption in a fascinating way.
Fishes live in the sea, as men do on land: the
great ones eat up the little ones.
In this way, a competent man is deprived of his
right. This is one of the reasons that our youth is
striving for change in Pakistan. Corruption also
causes poverty and unemployment. When
deserving people are denied their right then it is
obvious that poverty and unemployment will
increase. Due to corruption we have a poor

infrastructure, roads and buildings. Corrupt

contractors use low quality material in the
construction of building, roads and bridges, risking
the lives of many. The government must take
concrete steps to root out this menace from
society.
Our leaders must read this Hadith and realize this
fact that there will be accountability in the life after
death. "A ruler who has been entrusted with the
affairs of Muslims, but makes no endeavor (for
their material and moral uplift) and is not sincerely
concerned (for their welfare) will not enter paradise
along with them." (Sahih Muslim1:82)
It is necessary for us to first identify the cause of
corruption. Only then we can propose remedy for
it. The first cause of rapid corruption in Pakistan is
lack of accountability. Our institutions like anticorruption department and National Accountability
Bureau- (NAB) are not fully independent. Whether
it is military rule or civilian government, these
institutions have been influenced and used by both
civil and military governments for their personal
gains or political victimization of the opponents.
One of the major causes of corruption is deviation
of people from the teachings of the Holy Quran and
Sunnah. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "If you get
something from people because of your position it
is bribery. Would you get it if you are not holding

that position, or if you stay in your father's house?"

The apostle of Allah Almighty has also said: Allah
will call us to account how we spend our life, our
youth, our wealth and our knowledge.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whosoever from
you is appointed by us to a position of authority
and he conceals from us a needle or something
smaller than that, it would be misappropriation (of
public funds) and [he] will (have to) produce it on
the Day of Judgment." (Sahih Muslim no. 847)
Almighty Allah says: "And eat up not one anothers
property unjustly (in any illegal way e.g. stealing,
robbing, deceiving, etc.), nor give bribery to the
rulers (judges before presenting your cases) that
you may knowingly eat up a part of the property of
others sinfully." (Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat: 188)
Holy Quran states: "Corruption (sins and
disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land
and sea because of what the hands of men have
earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that
Allah may make them taste a part of that which
they have done, in order that they may return (by
repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)."
(Surah Ar-Rum, Ayat :41).
The Apostle of Allah (SAW) cursed the one who
bribes (rashi) and the one who takes (murtashi).
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 1595).
All these above narrations from Quran and Sunnah
clearly assert that there is no place of such sleaze
in Islam. A true Muslim would never deviate from

the words of Allah, and His Prophet (SAW).

Corruption has been denounced by Allah and our
prophet and it is binding upon every Muslim to curb
this menace.
Read more: http://www.cssexam.com/showthread.php/4487-Corruption-in-Pakistan-how-toalleviate-it#ixzz1lmRcCoD2