How Pakistan fared on corruption perception index since 1996

ISLAMABAD: Transparency data show that Pakistan scored low on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) during former president Gen Pervez Musharraf’s period (1999 to 2007), indicating a higher level of corruption.

According to the Transparency International’s 28-year record, Pakistan ranked 53rd/54th on CPI in 1996 under the Benazir Bhutto government, while under Imran Khan-led PTI coalition government (2018 to 2022), Pakistan surpassed most countries — up to 23 — in corruption.

It is important to note that the number of countries assessed has changed over the decades, as the TI assessed 54 countries in 1996, 163 in 2006 and 180 in 2024. Therefore, the historical comparison cannot be termed a sound reflection of corruption perception.

Record shows that corruption in Pakistan left behind 12 to 15 more countries during PMLN’s government from 2013 to 2018 on the CPI.

During PMLN’s first year of rule in 1997, the rank improved and positioned at 5th most corrupt while in the following year of 1998 during the same government, the rank further improved by 15 countries and positioned as 15th most corrupt nation.

During the tenure of PDM led government (2022 to 2023), Pakistan ranked 48th most corrupt nation out of the total 180 countries for the year 2023, while in 2022, Pakistan’s rank was 41st.

When PTI came to power in 2018, Pakistan ranked as 64th most corrupt nation out of 180 countries. However, Pakistan surpassed 23 more countries in corruption and was ranked as 41st on the CPI during the last year of Khan’s rule. While in year 2019, 2020, and 2021, Pakistan ranked at numbers 61, 57, 41 respectively out of 180 countries on the CPI.

Under the Nawaz Sharif-led government in 2013, Pakistan ranked as 49th out of 175 countries. By 2017, the last year of PMLN’s tenure, the rank jumped from 49 to 64 leaving behind over 15 countries.

During the start of the government of Pakistan People’s Party in 2008, Pakistan’s rank 47th on the CPI out of 180 countries, while at the end of its government, the rank fell to 36th, surpassing 11 countries.

In the last year of Musharraf’s rule in 2007, the total number of countries assessed by TI stood at number 179 out of which Pakistan positioned at 138, ranking as 42nd on the CPI.

In 1997 during the government of Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan ranked as fifth out of 52 assessed nations on the CPI, while in 1998, Pakistan positioned at number 71 number, ranking 15th, out of 85 countries assessed.