Ah, Pakistan. Not only do we consistently top the Failed States Index [see Alex Lobov’s take down of the “failed state” term over at Zeitgeist], but this past summer, we also ranked number one in the world in sex-related searches, garnering us the label, “Pornistan” (thanks, Fox News). Jinnah Sahib, (aka, Big Poppa), would be so proud.
On Tuesday, Transparency International released their 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the degree to which public sector corruption is perceived to exist in 178 countries around the world. Corruption, according to TI, is defined “as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain,” encompassing practices in both the public and private sectors. The CPI scores countries on a scale from 10 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt).
Lo and behold – Pakistan, with a score of 2.3, ranks 143 in the world in the index, dropping 0.2 since 2008. Last year, we were ranked 139 in the CPI, meaning perceptions of corruption are worse than before. (We are 34th most corrupt country, versus 42nd last year).
The interesting part of the index is that it quantifies perceived corruption rather than the tangible occurrence of corrupt practices. According to Transparency International, this is “because corruption – whether frequency or amount – is to a great extent a hidden activity that is difficult to measure.” The organization added in its report, “Measuring scandals, investigations or prosecutions, while offering ‘non-perception’ data, reflect less on the prevalence of corruption in a country and more on other factors, such as freedom of the press or the efficiency of the judicial system.”
Al Jazeera English had a noteworthy discussion today on the reliability of measuring perceptions with TI’s Robin Hodess, former UPI correspondent Sam Vaknin, and David Cole, the managing director of the Atlantic Council. Although Cole affirmed the CPI is a very “well-respected” report with “sound methodology” [the report is an aggregate indicator that brings together data from 13 sources by 10 independent institutions over the past two years], Vaknin contended that perceptions are about psychology, “which is susceptible to manipulation.” For example, he noted, if a government is saying it’s spending an inordinate amount of time fighting corruption, “this may change perceptions about corruption” even if the facts on the ground remain the same.
Although the CPI doesn’t measure citizen perceptions of corruption, Hodess noted there is a close correlation between public attitudes (measured by their Global Corruption Barometer) and the index. For the purpose of Pakistan, I went back to the most recent Pew poll released in July [it should be noted that this wasn’t some scientific comparison]. According to the poll, 74% of Pakistanis polled say corrupt political leaders “are a very big problem,” compared to 71% last year, 64% in 2007, and 58% in 2002.
This is not to say that these perceptions don’t correlate well to reality, (or that the result of Pakistan’s place on the corruption index was all too surprising), but it does raise some interesting food for thought. For example, what role does the Pakistani media play in changing perceptions about corruption, particularly since electronic news channels have increased considerably in the last few years? Were perceptions in 2002 different because corruption was less rampant or because we didn’t have a liberalized media valiantly raising this issue for debate? In other words, are we more aware about corruption now or has corruption really gotten worse in Pakistan?
As I sifted through news coverage of these rankings, I did also find the reactions and headlines to be pretty interesting. First, The News released an article by Ansar Abbasi entitled, “Pakistan Racing to Become No. 1 Most Corrupt Country.” In the piece published the Sunday before the report was released, Abbasi wrote that sources in the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), which contribute to the preparation of the Transparency International report, told The News quite ominously, “You will soon be hearing really bad news about Pakistan.”
A “source” also commented, “It seems the country (Pakistan) is fast racing to become number one on the list of the most corrupt nations.”
This statement – by an anonymous source from one of two different organizations – was subsequently quoted or referenced in the Indian press. Exhibit A: The Times of India headline:
Exhibit B, the Hindustan Times:
And finally, Exhibit C, or the “Kick in the Babymaker,” One India:
Ok, we get it. Pakistan is a corrupt country. This is and has long been a serious issue. We are in the red – literally and figuratively [see TI’s nifty map]. But we’re not number one – at least not yet. And more importantly, it’s not a competition! There’s no prize for two countries still ranking pretty high on the index, especially if both rankings worsened from last year! Rather than us both puffing out our chests and measuring our worth relative to the other, maybe we could instead concentrate on actually tackling this issue better (a difficult task if there ever was one).
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@Kalsoom,
Dont let the Indian media get to you. They are always on the look out for “spicy” stories. Its like the media everywhere. If Americans had a history with Pakistan like India did then their media would have exploited it the same way.
Indians,generally, dont understand how important is for Pakistanis to see a success story about their country in Indian media. If the opposite happens then the reaction too is usually to the extreme.
Also, come on, attacking Pakistan is so easy nowadays. With Wikileaks,Pornistan fiasco, now this. There is just too much ammunition for people.
My advice to you is: Learn to ignore these inconsequential media reports.
Anoop,
It’s all good! I never let things get to me – in fact, I was annoyed with both of our medias – Ansar Abbasi was the one who first wrote the piece for The News, which was quoted by the Indian news. Other Pakistani publications also noted Pakistan’s score while also noting India’s. The onus is on all of us really.
And true, it’s “easy” to attack Pakistan, but it does get a little tiresome to constantly weed through the sensationalism and actually extract concrete and productive information.
i hate Ansar abasi , is an Agent of India and he helps to destabilize pakistan
Sorry had to edit your comment, no swear words via comment policy. Thanks!
And in terms of Ansar Abbasi, don’t know whether he is an “Indian agent” but his article was pretty sensationalized.
Actually its quite vice versa. We left no opportunity to not criticize india for the CWG games till the opening ceremony. Pakistani media was equally brutal in highlighting those mishaps. One should expect no mercies from media on both sides. As for independent reports like that of transparency international, these are merely pressure tacts. The time of publishing needs to be examined carefully. My own speculation and its strictly a speculation that its a part of that great game played between pakistani establishment americans karzai regime on Afghani chess board. Ansar Abbasi is an agency man. There is no 2nd thought on that. Such reports only undermine a democratic government and serve establishment purpose. God knows what they are upto now..sigh!!
Agreed – as I mentioned above, both medias are guilty of sensationalized the other. It’s really frustrating!
Kulsoom as you wrote its easy to attack Pakistan.
I dont mind if American press attacks Pakistan for they have to sell newspapers. But its pretty disheartening when supposedly reputable investigative Pakistani journalists bad mouth Pakistan.
I would say it is very important for Pakistan Media to ‘bad mouth’ Pakistan. If that makes people take the issue more seriously so much the better. I would imagine stories int he Indian or American media would have little effect now since things seemt o have detoriated so much int eh country, but negative stories in the Pakistan media should hopely still have enough impact to make people think and address isues, even if it to then discover them inconsequential.
I am currently based in Vietnam. It was interesting for me to note that Pakistan and Vietnam have the same color for corruption, yet Vietnam is still more forward looking and tolerant than good, old Pakiland. Sigh
The OneIndia headline “India ranked far less corrupt country than Pak” is really stupid.
Basically, it’s saying “We Indians stole far less than Pakistan” – What’s the solace in knowing that one is a theif and that one’s neighbour is a far better theif???? Really stupid Indian media I’d say!!!
@Kalsoom – I strongly feel there was probably an Indian agent who persuaded Transparency International to tweek the results in return for a Holiday in Agra. The reason I feel this way is because, being an Indian I see corruption in every walk of life in India. Cops, govt hospitals, tax evasions, property registrations, court hearings, beverage licenses, communication licenses, driving licenses – you name it, we’ve covered it.
My message to Pakistan: Dont feel to proud that you are better than us in corruption, we are right behind you and gaining ground!!!
Times of India, if you go on web is an advertisement site with pop-ups all over.
& never heard of One India, which could be an online opportunistic publishing house / website looking up to rise.
But, let it be a tom, dick or harry news paper, the value is if it originates in India, which is Achilles heel of Pakistan and Pakistanis, and its easily exploitable by Americans or any body.
They would not mind rewarding few $$ to these publishing houses for creating a sensation, which would accurately hit the Pakistani masses and deliver the results, for e.g. if tomorrow, one of these news papers go on and predict Pakistan will split up in 6 months, I can bet FM Qureshi have to come fwd and explain.
But on the contrary, rich & middle class in India are too busy making them self a capitalistic country and competing each other for better salaries and jobs in MNCs and better cars and houses, so I don’t think they even read these stories and the common man / poor masses who either don’t read anything or read only Hindi / local languages news papers which carries most of the local news except few pages (generally front and editorial ones).
So I agree with Butterscotch, its just a game of chess with tiny, small and big moves.
Addressing the topic Pakistan problem. Lies with lack of
central government involvement. Track the corruption: majority of elite evade. Taxes and besides they fall upon
majority. Of the citizens still can fix the mishap! Yes, only if
there not imprisoned or assassinated. Please do not compare Pakistan to selfish India. I know while residing in
Northern Africa. They continue to say, India is stable. Society if believe it…” snows in July” while. Living in UK of
course, political mess most. Get kick backs Kalsoom are you
aware 3 major parties have. Economic ties with Ummah regarding banking and land acquisition. I fear Libya and Saudi Arabia coudl soon. Develop southern Pakistan or annexed it? Still greedy elite whom never decide. Good for
Pakistan Kalsoom PLM-N have so many. Rich businessman living northern Africa especially. Alegeria mention Nawaz:
they allot about him. Nawaz if your reading this stop the charade. If reelected do us all favor eliminate corruption!
true… not sure who said this, but it still rings true: The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.