Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered an independent and comprehensive review of the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report released by Transparency International, in a move aimed at identifying weaknesses in Pakistan’s anti-corruption efforts and formulating a coordinated national reform strategy.
According to official sources, the prime minister has directed the formation of a committee comprising independent experts to examine the findings of CPI 2025 in depth. The objective is to determine the structural, legal, and administrative shortcomings that continue to affect Pakistan’s global corruption ranking and to propose practical reforms based on evidence and professional analysis.
In the CPI 2025, Pakistan scored 28 out of 100 and ranked 136th among 182 countries. Although this reflects a marginal improvement from the previous year’s score of 27, the overall ranking highlights persistent governance challenges. The global average score stands at 42, underscoring the significant gap between Pakistan and countries with stronger institutional integrity. Nations considered among the least corrupt typically score above 80, demonstrating robust transparency mechanisms, effective law enforcement, and high levels of public sector accountability.
Transparency International compiles the CPI using data from eight independent international sources that measure perceptions of corruption in the public sector. These sources evaluate different aspects of governance, including judicial independence, misuse of public funds, bribery, regulatory enforcement, and institutional oversight.
Among these contributors, only the Varieties of Democracy Project showed a notable improvement for Pakistan, increasing its score from 14 to 19. This change suggests some positive perception regarding political and institutional developments. However, the improvement was not reflected in critical areas related to rule of law and enforcement.
Two major assessments indicated a decline. The World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey reduced Pakistan’s score from 33 to 32, reflecting continued concerns among business leaders about bribery, irregular payments, and the misuse of state resources. Meanwhile, the World Justice Project lowered Pakistan’s score in its Rule of Law Index from 26 to 25, signaling ongoing weaknesses in accountability systems and insufficient action against abuse of power.
Five additional sources reported no year-on-year improvement, indicating institutional stagnation. These include the Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index, the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, the PRS Group International Country Risk Guide, and the World Bank’s Country Policy and Institutional Assessment. Collectively, these reports highlight persistent issues in transparency, governance quality, public financial management, and resistance to undue influence over state institutions.
Government officials state that the independent review committee will conduct a detailed analysis of each indicator used in the CPI assessment. The panel is expected to focus on strengthening law enforcement mechanisms, improving judicial efficiency, enhancing public procurement transparency, and reinforcing institutional accountability. Particular attention will be given to identifying gaps in implementation rather than merely legislative shortcomings.
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intends to consult provincial governments and relevant federal institutions as part of the reform process. Corruption is viewed as a nationwide issue requiring a unified strategy rather than isolated measures at different administrative levels. Officials believe coordinated policymaking between the federation and provinces can produce more consistent and measurable improvements.
The review may also explore expanding digital governance systems to reduce human discretion in administrative processes, strengthening oversight bodies, and introducing more transparent monitoring mechanisms in public spending. Experts are expected to recommend reforms designed not only to improve Pakistan’s international ranking but also to restore public trust in state institutions.
Observers note that international corruption rankings influence investor confidence, economic partnerships, and financial risk assessments. Therefore, addressing governance weaknesses carries economic implications beyond reputational concerns. Improved transparency and accountability can contribute to a more stable investment climate and sustainable development trajectory.
By initiating an independent evaluation of the CPI findings, the prime minister appears to be signaling an intention to treat the report as a reform roadmap rather than a symbolic assessment. The effectiveness of this initiative will ultimately depend on the implementation of expert recommendations and sustained political commitment to institutional strengthening.
