Corruption is the main element, and like cancer, it is eating up every institution of Pakistan
Shafqatullah Soomro
Corruption is currently a hot topic. Corruption refers to a form of criminal activity or dishonesty. It is an evil act by an individual or a group of people that should be quickly eliminated from society. It is like the poison that has penetrated the minds of many individuals these days and destroys nations while sapping their moral fiber. It is one of the root causes of poverty, conflict, diseases, and many other problems.
Corruption exists in all countries, both developed and developing, in the public and private sectors, as well as in organizations. Corruption is a highly discussed topic, and I cannot define it with only one definition because many scholars define it in their own way. Wang and Rosenau (2001) and Zarb (2011) said that ‘corruption was viewed almost exclusively as related to the behavior of public offices.’
There are many types of corruption, but I will mention the three major types.
Bribery is the most common type of corruption. It involves the improper use of favors and gifts in exchange for personal gain, including money, gifts, company shares, sexual favors, and political benefits.
Extortion is another major and common type of corruption. It generally involves a threat being made to the victim’s money, property, or service illegally. In simpler words, extortion is quite similar to blackmail.
Corruption exists in all countries, both developed and developing, in the public and private sectors, as well as in organizations
Favoritism and nepotism both fall into the same category and have a similar meaning. These are quite old forms of corruption that are still in use. Nepotism refers to a person favoring their own relatives and friends, while favoritism is the practice of favoring one person over others. This can be seen in many fields, including politics, business, academia, sports, entertainment, and religion.
A corrupt system in Pakistan has made it difficult for good people to survive within it. According to the National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) 2010 of Transparency International, the four most corrupt institutions are the Police, Electricity, Land Department, and Education. The Chairman of Transparency International Pakistan, Syed Adil Gilani, said, ‘Corruption is the root cause of poverty, illiteracy, terrorism, shortage of electricity, food, and lack of governance in Pakistan.’
Unfortunately, corruption has permeated our educational system and is spreading like poison, damaging the roots of Pakistan’s education system
Corruption is the main element, and like cancer, it is eating up every institution of Pakistan. Public officers treat poor and rich people differently and use the power of public offices for personal gain. Transparency International (TI) defines corruption as the use of entrusted power for private gain. This definition includes both public and corporate corruption (corporate relating to a large company or a group company formed into a unified body of individuals).
Also Read: Police, judiciary top most corrupt in Pakistan: survey
Pakistan is currently facing multiple crises, including economic instability, an energy crisis, and security threats. However, the educational crisis is at the heart of all these issues. Unfortunately, corruption has permeated our educational system and is spreading like poison, damaging the roots of Pakistan’s education system. We have forgotten over the past few decades that education is the best path to a bright future. Education can create competent leaders and help build a prosperous nation. It is the best source for changing our minds and developing our ability to think and perceive things differently.
It is important to raise awareness, strengthen institutions, and hold those who indulged in corrupt activities accountable for their actions
It is true that a wise person always learns from their mistakes, but unfortunately, there are individuals who hold positions of power and use their authority for personal gain, such as fulfilling their sexual desires, collecting money and gifts. Our history is filled with instances of such activities. In Pakistan, sexual abuse of students by teachers is unfortunately not uncommon, and there have been several reported cases of such abuse in the past. However, it is important to note that not all teachers are involved in such activities, and there are many dedicated and committed teachers who work hard to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for their students.
Also read: Corruption – an inherent element of Democracy in Pakistan?
These lines taken from dawn newspaper ” Taxila: Police booked a teacher for allegedly sexually harassing three primary school students in the jurisdiction of Pindigheb Police station.
Islamabad (ANI): A 14-year-old student was allegedly raped by a school teacher in Pakistan.
In conclusion, corruption is a major problem in Pakistan, and it affects all aspects of society, including the educational system. To combat corruption and promote education, it is important to raise awareness, strengthen institutions, and hold those who indulged in corrupt activities accountable for their actions. By doing so, Pakistan can create a brighter future for all its citizens.
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Shafqatullah Soomro is student of BS-English at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Nawabshah Sindh 
