PAKISTAN has dropped 16 spots on the global Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021 and is ranked 140th out of 180 countries, Transparency International said in a report on Tuesday (25).
It comes as a major blow to prime minister Imran Khan's government which came to power on the promise of clean governance.
The report released by the Berlin-based non-profit organisation said corruption levels remain at a standstill worldwide, with 86 per cent of countries making little to no progress in the last 10 years.
In its 2021 edition, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), drawing on 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives.
In 2020, Pakistan's CPI was 31 and it was ranked 124 out of 180 countries. According to Transparency International, the country's corruption score has now deteriorated to 28.
Comparatively, India's score stands at 40 and is ranked 85, while Bangladesh's CPI is 26 and stands at the 147th position.
Explaining the causes of the low score of Pakistan, the report said the absence of the “rule of law” and “state capture” were the main reasons.
The report comes at a time when Khan is under pressure to improve the performance of his government. His advisor on accountability, Shehzad Akbar, stepped down on Monday (24) amid reports of his poor performance in bringing the corrupt elements to justice.
To add to Khan's woes, Justice (retired) Nasira Iqbal, vice-chair of Transparency International Pakistan, said the ranking of the country under the current government has gradually come down.
In 2019, it was 120th out of 180 countries, in 2020, it was 124th and in 2021 it worsened further to 140, she said.
In contrast, in 2018, during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) period, Pakistan's ranking was 117 out of 180 countries.
The CPI global average remains unchanged at 43 for the 10th year in a row, and two-thirds of countries score below 50, the report said.
According to the report, the top-performing countries are Denmark, Finland and New Zealand, all having a corruption perceptions score of 88, followed by Norway, Singapore and Sweden, all of them scoring 85.
In contrast, the worst-performing countries were South Sudan with a corruption perceptions score of 11, followed by Syria (13), Somalia (13, Venezuela (14) and Afghanistan (16).
Transparency International calls on governments to act on their anti-corruption and human rights commitments and for people across the globe to join together in demanding change.
“In authoritarian contexts where control over government, business and the media rests with a few, social movements remain the last check on power. It is the power held by teachers, shopkeepers, students and ordinary people from all walks of life that will ultimately deliver accountability,” said Daniel Eriksson, chief executive officer of Transparency International.
The Index scores are based on the perceptions of public sector corruption, using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk consulting companies, think tanks and others. The scores reflect the views of the experts and business people.
(PTI)
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Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Apr 02, 2025
THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.
Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.
A UK Foreign Office statement last month said Sri Lanka's three military commanders — former Army Commanders Gen Shavendra Silva, Jagath Jayasuriya and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda — were among those sanctioned and subjected to UK travel bans and asset freezes.
British government also sanctioned Vinyagamurthy Muralidaran, the deputy leader of the LTTE, who later turned a rebel of the group and became a deputy minister in the national parliament.
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The current National People's Power (NPP) government led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake faced criticism from opposition parties for its lukewarm response to the UK decision. The government blamed the UK for taking action unilaterally.
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The two Rajapaksa brothers led the military campaign which crushed the LTTE, ending their three decades of armed struggle to create a separate Tamil homeland in the north and east regions.
General Silva and Karannagoda were key commanders in the three-year campaign.
The conduct of the government troops during the final military battle became the subject of four UN rights resolutions since 2012.
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(PTI)
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The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)
ANI
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"There was a huge blast in the factory, causing the concrete roof to collapse," government spokesman Rishikesh Patel told reporters.
Police officer CL Solanki said the death toll had risen to 21.
Mihir Patel, a senior district official, said, "The explosion was so powerful that body parts of some victims were found scattered in a farm 200-300 metres away."
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Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Fireworks are widely used in India, especially during Diwali and wedding celebrations. Accidents at firecracker workshops are common due to safety violations.
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The pilgrimage has captured public attention, not only due to Anant’s prominent status but also because of the symbolic message it conveys. Choosing to celebrate a milestone birthday through a spiritual journey highlights his values and devotion, which he hopes will inspire others, particularly the younger generation, to embrace faith and spirituality.
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(AFP)
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