ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s mechanisms to protect whistleblowers exposing corruption and irregularities are ‘structurally weak,’ according to a new investigative report. This inadequacy perpetuates long-standing governance failures across political, contractual, and regulatory spheres.
Scoring 135th in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index among 180 countries, Pakistan grapples with entrenched corruption. Political economist Saqib Barjis, writing in The News International, stresses that transparency and accountability are vital for societal trust, far beyond empty promises.
A robust whistleblowing culture is non-negotiable, yet Pakistan’s system rewards silence over candor. The 2019 Act exists, but without enforcement power, anonymity, or anti-retaliation measures, it’s toothless.
Alignment with the UN Convention Against Corruption offers a blueprint for fixes, Barjis proposes. Anti-corruption statutes abound, undermined only by absent political resolve.
At this pivotal juncture, decades of lax oversight have debilitated institutions, shattered public faith, and accelerated talent exodus. ‘Pakistanis leave because merit is discarded, not because loyalty is lacking,’ Barjis observes.
Whistleblower safeguards provide the bedrock for anti-corruption progress. Accountable nations draw prosperity; denialist ones stagnate and crumble.
Investing in whistleblower protection isn’t optional – it’s the gateway to reclaiming institutional integrity, retaining human capital, and fostering sustainable growth. Neglect it, and Pakistan condemns itself to modernity’s sidelines.