Pak among most corrupt countries: CPI

He claimed in the latest 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by the Berlin-based Transparency International,nearly three quarters of the 178 countries are in the index score below five,on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption),indicating a serious corruption problem.

He said Pakistan’s Index score is now 2.3 against 2.4 in 2009 showing an increase in corruption in the country.

The ruling and opposition politicians have regularly been accused of corruption in Pakistan.

Gilani said under the rule of law,all corruption cases in the Public sector should have been taken up by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

He said the political will of the government to fight corruption is lacking which has resulted in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo moto action against mega corruption in NICL,Pakistan Steel,Rental Power Plants.

The CPI 2010 reveals that corruption in Pakistan is increasing,while in Bangladesh it is decreasing.

Bangladesh was perceived to be the most corrupt country in 2001,2002 and 2003 and its ranking in 2010 is 39 most corrupt country.

Reduced corruption has paid dividends to Bangladesh whose annual GDP growth last year was over 5 per cent,while Pakistan’s GDP growth last year was near 2.4 per cent.

Delay in formation of An Independent Accountability Commission by the parliament may further aggravate the situation.