- Risk key
- Low
- MODERATELY LOW
- MODERATE
- MODERATELY HIGH
- HIGH
Pakistan Corruption Report
Snapshot
Corruption is a significant obstacle to business in Pakistan, and companies should expect to regularly encounter bribery or other corrupt practices. Corruption is rampant in all sectors and institutions. The Pakistani Penal Code applies to individuals and makes it illegal to offer, pay or accept a bribe. Companies can be held civilly liable under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the National Accountability Ordinance. Facilitation payments and gifts are prohibited but are common practice. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from office in 2017 following a probe into undeclared offshore assets following the Panama Paper leaks. Sharif was indicted over charges of failing to follow disclosure rules for his offshore assets. Pakistan is unable to guarantee integrity in state bodies and is unable to prevent corruption despite a sound legal framework. The government didn’t implement anti-corruption laws effectively and officials engaged in corruption with impunity.