Page 13 - CMA Journal (May-Jun 2026)

E x c lus iv e I nt er v iew

However, the survey also reveals signi cant provincial
variations, indicating that governance capacity, service
delivery, and institutional oversight remain uneven
across the country. These disparities underscore the
need to strengthen accountability mechanisms
consistently across all provinces through e ective
implementation of procurement laws, Right to
Robust legal safeguards are critical to Information legislation, digital governance, citizen
feedback mechanisms, and performance monitoring,
encourage disclosures without fear of while encouraging provinces to adopt successful
governance practices from one another.
retaliation; the pending Whistleblower
Equally important is improving public awareness of
Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill corruption reporting mechanisms. Citizens can only
contribute e ectively to accountability when they
must be enacted to signal commitment. know where and how to report corruption, are
con dent that complaints will be handled fairly, and
Legal reform should see tangible action taken in response.

be accompanied by institutional ICMA: Whistleblower protection remains
underdeveloped in Pakistan. How can robust legal
guarantees for impartial investigations frameworks and cultural shifts be fostered to
and visible protections for reporters. encourage disclosures without fear of retaliation?
Justice (R) Zia Perwez: Whistleblower protection is
one of the most e ective tools for detecting and
Justice (R) Zia Perwez preventing corruption, but it can only succeed when
individuals are able to report wrongdoing without fear
Chairman, Transparency of retaliation. As a State Party to the United Nations
Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Pakistan is
International -Pakistan committed to strengthening legal protections for
persons who report corruption in good faith. The
recent approval of the Whistleblower Protection and
ICMA: Digital governance is often presented as a strong governance frameworks, including transparent Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025 by the Senate unaware of the appropriate government institutions
solution to corruption, yet weak implementation procurement, cybersecurity and data protection, Standing Committee on Law and Justice is a welcome for reporting corruption. This re ects not only a
can create new loopholes. What safeguards are interoperability between government systems, public development and re ects growing recognition of the communication gap but also a broader disconnect
essential to ensure the digitalization genuinely access to information, e ective grievance redress importance of whistleblower protection. However, the between citizens and public institutions. When people
enhances transparency rather than replicating old mechanisms, and independent oversight. Accelerating bill has remained pending before the National do not know where to report corruption, or lack
ine ciencies in new forms? integrated, citizen-centric digital services will improve Assembly of Pakistan for nearly a year. con dence that their complaints will be acted upon,
public trust, facilitate investment, and promote they are less likely to seek accountability.
Justice (R) Zia Perwez: Pakistan has made sustainable economic growth. Transparency International Pakistan has consistently
encouraging progress through digital initiatives such advocated for stronger whistleblower protection. It is Addressing this challenge requires more than
as NADRA's computerized identity management ICMA: Despite 66% of Pakistanis reporting no bribe important that bill is passed through the parliament. awareness campaigns. Public institutions should
system, the Federal Board of Revenue's Point of Sale payments last year, provincial disparities remain This will build a culture where reporting corruption is establish simple, accessible, and citizen-centric
(FBR POS) integration for real-time tax reporting, stark. What does this uneven corruption trend regarded as a public service, rather than a personal reporting mechanisms, supported by digital platforms,
Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) digital reveal about governance capacity across provinces, risk. toll-free helplines, and clearly de ned grievance
tax administration systems, e-procurement, e-o ce and how can accountability frameworks be redress procedures. Equally important is ensuring that
platforms, the Pakistan Citizen's Portal, and the harmonized to ensure equitable standards ICMA: A majority of respondents remain unaware of complaints are acknowledged promptly, investigated
digitization of land records, tax ling, and business nationwide? o cial channels for reporting corruption. What impartially, and resolved within reasonable
registration. These initiatives have improved e ciency does this gap reveal about the state-citizen timeframes. Transparency in reporting outcomes and
and reduced opportunities for discretionary Justice (R) Zia Perwez: Transparency International disconnect, and how can institutional design and regular public disclosure of institutional performance
decision-making in several public services. Pakistan's National Corruption Perception Survey communication strategies be restructured to make can further strengthen public con dence.
(NCPS) 2025 found that 66% of respondents reported anti-corruption mechanisms accessible and
However, digitalization alone cannot eliminate not paying a bribe during the previous year, which is an credible?
corruption. To ensure that technology genuinely encouraging progress with regard to good governance
enhances transparency rather than replicating existing Justice (R) Zia Perwez: Transparency International
ine ciencies, digital reforms must be supported by in public service delivery. Pakistan's National Corruption Perception Survey

(NCPS) 2025 found that 70% of respondents remain
ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, May-Jun 2026 11