Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formation of a committee of independent experts to conduct a comprehensive review of the latest report released by Transparency International on Pakistan’s corruption levels. The initiative aims to identify sectors where Pakistan is lagging in anti-corruption measures and to develop a coordinated national response based on expert recommendations.

A Break from Tradition

According to government sources, this approach marks a departure from past practices, when international assessments on corruption were often overlooked. The Prime Minister intends to use the findings of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025 to implement reforms in consultation with provincial governments and relevant institutions, ensuring a nationwide strategy to tackle corruption.

An insider noted that corruption is a national challenge requiring a unified policy response, and the Prime Minister seeks to design a comprehensive policy framework based on expert guidance to address structural weaknesses across governance, law enforcement, and public finance management.

Pakistan’s Performance in CPI 2025

In the 2025 CPI, Pakistan scored 28 out of 100, ranking 136th among 182 countries, compared to a score of 27 and ranking 135th in 2024. The CPI evaluates governance and corruption using eight independent international sources, examining various dimensions of public sector corruption.

Among these sources, only the Varieties of Democracy Project showed improvement, raising Pakistan’s score from 14 to 19, reflecting some progress in political and institutional areas. However, key indicators for rule of law and enforcement showed deterioration:

• World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey reduced Pakistan’s score from 33 to 32, signaling concerns about bribery, informal payments, and misuse of public funds in the business community.
• World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index declined from 26 to 25, highlighting persistent weaknesses in accountability and misuse of authority.

Five other sources, including the Bertelsmann Transformation Index, Economic Intelligence Unit, Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, PRS Group International Country Risk Guide, and World Bank CPIA, reported no change, indicating institutional stagnation and ongoing weaknesses in governance, transparency, and state capacity.

Pakistan’s overall score of 28 is well below the global average of 42, while countries with low corruption typically score 80–90 or higher.

Objective of the Independent Review

The newly appointed expert panel is tasked with conducting a detailed analysis of all indicators, focusing particularly on:

• Rule of law enforcement
• Public financial management
• Judicial effectiveness
• Institutional accountability

The goal is to develop practical recommendations for reforms that can be implemented across the federal and provincial levels, ensuring that Pakistan can improve both its governance standards and its international CPI ranking in the coming years.

Government Expectations

Authorities hope that the independent review will provide actionable insights to create a coordinated strategy between the federal and provincial governments, strengthening institutional accountability, transparency, and governance. By targeting weaknesses identified in the CPI, Pakistan aims to gradually reduce corruption, enhance public trust, and improve its global standing.

The initiative also signals the government’s commitment to evidence-based policy making, using verified data from international sources to guide reforms rather than relying solely on internal assessments.

Broader Implications

This step has both domestic and international significance:

• Domestically, it addresses public concerns about corruption and demonstrates the government’s intent to improve accountability.
• Internationally, a better CPI ranking can enhance investor confidence, reduce perceptions of corruption, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in global governance indices.

By creating a comprehensive and expert-driven policy response, the government aims to make tangible progress in areas long criticized, including enforcement of laws, judicial efficiency, and oversight of public institutions.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to form an independent committee to review the Transparency International report represents a proactive approach to tackling corruption. By leveraging expert analysis and consulting provincial and federal institutions, Pakistan seeks to implement a coordinated, evidence-based strategy to strengthen governance, improve rule of law, and enhance institutional accountability.

This initiative is expected to pave the way for meaningful reforms, improve Pakistan’s CPI ranking, and demonstrate the government’s commitment to reducing corruption and increasing transparency across the country. The comprehensive review will serve as a roadmap for policy interventions, ensuring that both federal and provincial authorities work together to address the deep-rooted issues highlighted in the CPI 2025.