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Friday, December 30, 2011
Pakistan military debuts on graft list
KARACHI: Corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) for the first time has included Pakistan’s military in an annual survey, listing it as a notch more corrupt than the country’s education department.
The Pakistan chapter of Transparency International (TIP) reviews and ranks government departments according to the prevalence of graft in the system. “Our land revenue and police departments are on top in corruption. The judiciary is ranked fourth while military is in ninth position followed by the education department,” Sohail Muzaffar, Chairman TIP said.
Tensions between military and weak civilian government have soared recently over alleged attempts by an aide of the president to enlist American help to curb its powers, citing a feared military coup in May. The army, feared and admired in almost equal measure, is widely considered perhaps the most professional institution in Pakistan. Adviser TIP Adil Gilani said the military had been included “to dispel the impression that our surveys are biased. This time, we have ranked the military according to popular response about corruption in it. Next time we will have more comprehensive details,” he added. Last year, the judiciary came in sixth.” afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk