• How poor infrastructure, neglected drainage systems, and rampant corruption worsen the city’s condition every monsoon.

Sawera Nadeem

As Karachi reeled under torrential rains on 19 August 2025, the city’s persistent governance failures turned natural waters into man-made crises. The aftermath—submerged roads, crippled power, and public fury—laid bare what everyone already knows: our city’s infrastructure exists only on paper, and its budget lines often vanish into the pockets of the powerful.

A Flood of Figures, A Desert of Readiness

On 19 August, Karachi recorded extraordinary rainfall—up to 178 mm in northeast areas and 163.5 mm near the airport, the heaviest in decades. To put that in perspective: Karachi’s drainage system is engineered to handle a mere 40 mm of rain. Anything beyond that spells disaster.

Consequently:

Streets transformed into rivers, with vehicles floating away, and power, mobile, and flight services disrupted citywide.

Thousands escaped work, school, and public life as authorities declared a citywide holiday out of sheer necessity.

Basic services like electricity remained crippled—over 350 K-Electric feeders tripped, leaving vast swathes of the city without power for days.

Infrastructure Infrastructure—Only in Name

Why did Karachi fail so catastrophically? The answers lie in decades of neglect, mismanagement, and corruption.

The drainage network is antiquated, incapable of coping with even moderate monsoon intensity. Around 75% of residents report drainage backups monthly, and some areas see overflow 2 to 7 times a month.

Institutional fragmentation between city, provincial, and federal authorities—and the presence of 19 land-owning agencies—make coordinated infrastructure development a near impossibility.

Waste management is a disaster. 12,000 tons of trash is generated daily, but poor municipal capacity means 40% of that waste ends up clogging drains.

When even water supply systems suffer corruption—with 25–40% of water stolen by mafia-like rings—the infrastructure’s integrity is fatally compromised.

Budgets in Pockets, Not Pavements

All these failures reflect a deeper malaise: infrastructure budgets rarely translate into ground-level improvements.

Billions allocated annually vanish through inflated contracts, ghost projects, and bribery. Authorities sometimes block drains deliberately to clear budgets or extort contractors—12,000 drains were found laden with sacks obstructing flow.

Building safety collapses too. Earlier in 2025, a structure in Lyari collapsed—SBCA officials were arrested for criminal negligence, highlighting how oversight is often bought, not enforced.

Islamabad: Rain Is a Blessing, Not a Curse

Contrast this with Islamabad, where rainfall—even heavy—yields refreshment, not ruin.

From 13 to 15 August, the capital saw up to 220 mm of rain, and in localized sectors, over 600 mm .

Despite similar deluges, its roads remained mostly operational, drainage held up, and the city felt pleasant—thanks to planned infrastructure, citywide governance coordination, and robust drainage systems.

Even though Islamabad experienced localized flash floods—such as an incident swept away four people near a nullah—these incidents were isolated, not systemic urban collapse .

Karachi in Crisis: With No One to Blame But Us

Karachi’s monsoon disaster on 19 August 2025 was never just about rain—it was about the failure of governance, skewed priorities, and corrupt systems that treat infrastructure as an afterthought.

A city that generates 472 million gallons daily of sewage treats only 50 MGD—despite having a capacity for 150 MGD.

Karachiites see unclean streets (42%), nonexistent municipal cleaning (only 17% daily), and rely on private services because public agencies can’t even manage basic cleanliness.

The relentless flooding harms the poorest the worst, reinforcing inequality and denying fundamental dignity and safety.

Karachi Deserves More Than Excuses

When it rains elsewhere—like Islamabad—it refreshes the spirit. In Karachi, it drowns it. Nature isn’t the villain, but our failures in planning, accountability, and stewardship are. If budgets continue to be looted and institutions continued to fracture, every monsoon will be another tragedy, not just a test of civic resilience.

Read: Why is Sindh Falling Behind?

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Sawera Nadeem, based in Karachi, is a Mass Communication student with a passion for research-based writing.  She focuses on topics that highlight public interest and social impact.

The post Rainfall Unmasks Deep Corruption Currents first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• One thing is clear: a country that lets its corrupt flourish while its honest struggle, is one walking on the edge of its own collapse.

Nasir Aijaz

In the corridors of power, behind the polished speeches and well-rehearsed public appearances, lies a murky reality that most citizens of Pakistan know too well but feel helpless to challenge: corruption runs deep within the country’s political leadership. From the prime minister to provincial chief ministers, and from cabinet members to bureaucratic allies, a troubling pattern persists—those accused of corruption often not only evade justice but continue to rule, shape policy, and command influence as if the charges against them carry no weight.

For decades, Pakistan’s political landscape has been scarred by scandals—some publicized widely, others buried under the weight of time, influence, and fear. Cases surface regularly, revealing staggering misappropriation of funds, illegal land allotments, kickbacks from contracts, offshore accounts, and money laundering trails that stretch beyond national borders. Names change, parties shift alliances, but the script remains eerily familiar. Accused leaders denounce the allegations as politically motivated, their followers chant slogans of loyalty, and the legal machinery slows to a crawl. Months turn into years, hearings are postponed, and before long, the cases are forgotten—until the next scandal emerges.

There is something uniquely tragic about a nation whose people continue to suffer from inadequate healthcare, education, and inflation, while its ruling elite travels in convoys of luxury cars and resides in palatial homes guarded by state resources. The contrast is stark. It’s not merely about stolen money—it’s about stolen futures. Every rupee embezzled is a child out of school, a hospital without medicines, a road left broken, and a farmer driven to despair.

What makes the situation more alarming is not just the presence of corruption, but the normalization of it. Politicians facing serious charges often campaign for elections without shame, and win. Their corruption cases are openly discussed, yet nothing changes. Courts issue summons, and the same individuals return to power, protected by legal loopholes, political deals, or public indifference born out of hopelessness. The culture of impunity is so deeply entrenched that people no longer ask whether someone is corrupt—they ask how powerful he is.

Behind the scenes, institutions meant to uphold accountability are themselves tainted. The watchdogs, often toothless or politically compromised, become pawns in larger power games. Agencies like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and even segments of the judiciary are routinely accused of being either too weak or too selective—pursuing opposition leaders with vigor while ignoring the transgressions of those aligned with the ruling establishment. Accountability becomes less about justice and more about timing and allegiance.

What perhaps deepens the despair is that this cycle is no longer hidden. Citizens see it. They talk about it in tea stalls, on buses, in drawing rooms, and on social media. The knowledge is widespread, yet the impact is numbing. For many, voting is no longer about choosing the best candidate, but the lesser evil. People have adjusted to the idea that corruption is part of governance, not a deviation from it. That adjustment—quiet, resigned, and tragic—is perhaps the greatest cost of all.

Yet, history shows that no system, no matter how corrupt or protected, lasts forever. There are moments in the life of every nation when the people, long silenced, demand change—and that change, though delayed does come. Whether Pakistan will see such a moment soon remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: a country that lets its corrupt flourish while its honest struggle, is one walking on the edge of its own collapse.

Read: Elite Rewards, Commoners Bear the Cost

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The writer is a senior journalist based in Karachi. He can be accessed at nasir.akhund1954@gmail.com

Courtesy: The AsiaN, Seoul, South Korea (English and Korean) 

The post Shielded by Power: Impunity of Pakistan’s Elite first appeared on Sindh Courier.

For Pakistan to progress, especially provinces like Sindh, we need more than slogans and token arrests

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

Corruption is not just about money changing hands—it is about stolen futures, broken systems, and normalized injustice. In Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, corruption has become an invisible tax on the poor, a privilege for the elite, and a betrayal of the nation’s values. From the corridors of power to the counters of local government offices, corruption festers as a societal norm rather than an anomaly. But is it a cultural curse, a governance failure, or a collective moral collapse? This article explores the multidimensional nature of corruption, its causes and consequences, and whether there’s any realistic hope for reform.

Defining Corruption in Pakistan’s Context

In academic terms, corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for personal or political gain. But in Pakistan, this concept takes many forms:

• Petty corruption: Bribes for basic services like driving licenses or FIR registrations.
• Grand corruption: Embezzlement of public funds, fake tenders, and political kickbacks.
• Institutional corruption: Politicization of police, courts, universities, and development projects.
• Moral corruption: Normalizing dishonesty, justifying it as “necessary for survival.”

From rural Tharparkar to urban Karachi, people have come to expect delays, bribes, and favoritism in routine matters. This normalization is perhaps the most dangerous dimension of all.

What Causes Corruption? Structural, Social, and Cultural Roots

1. Weak Governance and Impunity

Pakistan’s institutions often lack independence and power. Accountability bodies are seen as selective in their pursuits. Laws exist, but enforcement is erratic and politically influenced.

2. Poverty and Desperation

In a society where jobs are scarce and inflation is rampant, many justify corruption as a means of survival. A junior clerk may take a bribe to feed his family, but this micro-level justification creates a macro-level crisis.

3. Feudal and Tribal Patronage

In Sindh, feudal structures reinforce corruption. Votes are bought, jobs are sold, and loyalty is rewarded through illegal favors. This deepens inequality and disconnects power from public service.

4. Cultural Acceptance

Phrases like “sab chalta hai” or “chor to sab hain” reflect a national cynicism. When the majority sees corruption as inevitable, resistance declines and complicity grows.

The Impact: What Corruption Steals From Us

1. Economic Damage

Pakistan loses billions annually in leaked tax revenue, ghost employees, and rigged procurement processes. Investment suffers. Small businesses close due to extortion and red tape. For example, in Karachi, bhatta (extortion) is a silent tax imposed on vendors and traders.

2. Public Services in Crisis

• In rural Sindh, ghost schools exist on paper, but students sit under trees.
• Sewerage lines overflow while development funds “vanish.”
• In government hospitals, essential medicines are missing, while doctors run private clinics using stolen equipment.

3. Loss of Public Trust

When citizens lose faith in courts, police, and bureaucracies, they turn to informal justice, violence, or disengagement. Voter turnout drops. Civic spirit fades.

4. Youth Disillusionment

Young people see degrees ignored while political connections secure jobs. They witness exams leaked, bribes for admissions, and corruption glorified in the media. This turns idealism into apathy—or even crime.

Political Corruption: The Engine of Injustice

Political corruption is the nucleus around which all other forms of corruption orbit.

• Election rigging, vote-buying, and fake promises are routine.
• Development funds are used to build personal networks, not public infrastructure.
• Appointments in police, education, and revenue departments are sold to the highest bidder or loyalist.

Consider the case of the Public Service Commission, once caught in a scandal involving leaked question papers and favoritism in selection. The cost? A generation of deserving youth lost out.

Meanwhile, opposition politicians use corruption as a slogan until they come into power, and the cycle repeats.

Education and Health: The Biggest Victims

Both these sectors suffer due to a toxic blend of corruption and negligence.

Education:

• Teachers are appointed through bribes or nepotism.
• Many are absent but still drawing salaries.
• Textbooks are sold in black markets or never distributed.

Health:

• In Tharparkar, malnourished children die while budgeted nutrition packets remain unaccounted for.
• Hospitals in Sukkur and Mirpurkhas lack basic medicines, while procurement contracts enrich officials.

When education and health fail, a nation fails.

Is Corruption a Cultural Problem?

Many argue that Pakistanis are not inherently corrupt—they’re pushed by necessity and a broken system. However, over the decades, corruption has gained moral cover:

• “Everyone is doing it.”
• “You can’t survive without it.”
• “Why should I suffer when others get away?”

This rationalization perpetuates the problem. Ethics fade. Honesty becomes a liability.

Role of Media and Social Media: Watchdog or Accomplice?

Traditional media has exposed many scams, but it’s also complicit through paid content, partisan loyalties, and censorship. In some cases, major corruption scandals have been underreported due to ownership interests or political pressure.

However, social media has become a grassroots force. In 2023, a viral video from Umerkot showed a corrupt Patwari demanding bribes—public backlash led to action. Yet, this digital exposure needs to be matched with an institutional response, or it merely becomes a spectacle.

The Global Lens: What Can Pakistan Learn?

Countries like Singapore, Rwanda, and Denmark have successfully curbed corruption by:

• Making political leadership accountable.
• Establishing independent anti-corruption bodies.
• Using e-governance and transparency portals.
• Implementing zero-tolerance policies at every level.

In Rwanda, even a local government clerk can lose their job for demanding a minor bribe. In Singapore, ministers must declare their assets annually and face tough scrutiny. Pakistan can and must learn from these models.

Can Technology Fight Corruption?

Yes—but only with political will.

• E-procurement portals reduce human interference and favoritism.
• Biometric attendance systems in Sindh’s schools and hospitals have exposed thousands of ghost employees.
• Online complaint mechanisms can empower citizens, but only if complaints are acted upon.

AI and blockchain can offer tamper-proof records for tenders, contracts, and transactions. But without robust oversight, even technology can be manipulated.

Solutions: What Must Be Done

1. Reform Institutions

o             Make NAB, FIA, and anti-corruption units truly independent.

o             Ensure transparency in appointments and promotions.

2. Protect Whistleblowers

o             Pass and enforce whistleblower protection laws.

o             Offer rewards for exposing large-scale fraud.

3. Empower Citizens

o             Civic education must start early.

o             Encourage RTI (Right to Information) activism.

4. Engage Religious and Cultural Leaders

o             Use mosques, shrines, and community spaces to promote honesty and ethical conduct.

5. Enforce Digital Governance

o             Introduce e-tendering, digital budget tracking, and grievance redressal apps.

6. Punish the Powerful

o             Set a precedent by convicting and recovering funds from high-profile offenders.

A Time for Moral Reckoning

Corruption is not a technical flaw—it is a moral failure. It’s not just stealing money—it’s stealing dignity, justice, and opportunity. For Pakistan to progress, especially provinces like Sindh, we need more than slogans and token arrests. We need a revolution of values, accountability, and collective courage.

It starts with you—refusing to pay a bribe, demanding your right, and speaking out when it’s easier to stay silent. It continues with teachers, officers, politicians, journalists, and businesspeople choosing integrity over convenience.

The war against corruption may not be won in a year. But every act of honesty, every stand for justice, is a battle won. Pakistan must decide: Will we be a nation that just survives through shortcuts and exploitation? Or one that rises through justice, merit, and moral strength?

The answer begins today.

Read: Holy Words, Hollow Deeds

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to

The post Corruption Devours Pakistan’s Soul first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Ali Ousat

I just twisted the dialogue from a famous Hindi movie into “Aik daig biryani ki qeemat tum kiya jano sahab” (What would you know about the price of a whole pot of biryani, sir!). I always considered inflation a Karachi problem, inferred due to the endless drawing-room debates and teary-eyed social media posts. But a recent trip to Tharparkar overturned that assumption. In the deserts of Sindh, inflation is not just a topic of conversation, it is the brutal reality of daily life; it is the empty stomach of a child; it is the helplessness of a female dumper driver — who was abruptly terminated from the Thar coal project — to buy rice to feed her family.

This was the situation I witnessed in Tharparkar in April, which I visited along with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). They had set up rights camps in Chachro, Islamkot, and Nagarparkar.

The journey from Karachi in the back of an air-conditioned car was quite smooth. As we crossed Steel Town, the faces along the highway began to change, their bodies thin, their skin sunburnt, their clothes torn. These broken dreams were riding on motorcycles, donkey carts, and old public vans. This was the real Pakistan.

The real story, however, isn’t just about the inflation. It’s about the thick, muddy, and deep-rooted corruption which has infected every strata in Tharparkar. This is not the kind of corruption that you watch on television or read about in the newspaper. This is the type that wears a familiar face. It speaks your language. It shakes your hand while selling you out.

In Karachi, people may complain about inflation, but then go and buy bottled water. In Tharparkar, water itself is a privilege, and inflation is a question of survival

While the HRCP interviewed female dumper drivers who had been kicked out of their jobs at the local Engro power plant without prior notice, the Sindh government brought in a group of journalists from Karachi for a PR tour of the same plant. These journalists planted trees and posed for photos even as one of the female drivers who was kicked out of the same plant showed HRCP’s Pushpa Kumari a rotting wound she had suffered inside a private room. She didn’t want to be seen; she had already been erased. The plant gave her no experience letter for her work, no severance and no dignity.

The state, which was planting forests around a coal plant to greenwash it, couldn’t spare a piece of paper for a mother trying to prove she ever worked at the plant.

Even the HRCP camps, meant to amplify the voices of the downtrodden, were not immune from the corruption plaguing Tharparkar. The HRCP was charged exorbitantly high prices for renting out the press club hall, which did not even have working mics and hot tap water. Local contractors, fully aware that the camps were meant to serve the community, had jacked up rates to provide. What should have cost Rs8, 000 was inflated to Rs30, 000.

Dr. Sagar Kumar, who works at the Islamkot Hospital, told me: “I was ashamed to hear what they were charging you. Thiswas meant for the people. But they see outsiders and they see opportunity.”

This loot was not done by aliens or outsiders, but by neighbors. In Tharparkar, corruption doesn’t always come from the top. It’s a network, a culture, a slow rot that starts from within.

Professor Sohail Sangi, often referred to as ‘Baba-e-Thar’, put it bluntly: “The government has corrupted community leaders, journalists, and opinion-makers. They no longer speak for the people.”

But let’s go a step further. It’s not the “government” in the abstract that is responsible for this; it’s the individuals, the civil servants, local journalists, and village elders who’ve chosen silence and loyalty to contracts and power over their people.

When journalism becomes a business deal

One can always expect large corporations to exploit people’s misery as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However, when local journalists begin to beg for NGO money or barter their integrity for their survival, then truth becomes a casualty. Some of these reporters aren’t corrupt by nature; rather, they have been broken by a system that punishes honesty and rewards obedience.

Qazi Khizar of HRCP-Sindh said it best, “They (local journalists) are not inherently corrupt. But they’ve been shaped—bent by the very forces they were meant to resist.”

And that’s the real corruption. These journalists are financially abandoned by the organizations they are supposed to represent. When journalists become brand ambassadors for coal plants, when a story turns into a sponsorship, and the truth is sold for a press trip and a photo-op, you can hardly expect them to raise their voices on what ails their society.

Forgotten faces

This isn’t just about power plants and broken microphones. It’s about the women who carried rocks in dumpers but were tossed away like trash when they got sick. It’s about children who don’t understand the word “inflation” but go to sleep hungry anyway.

It’s about the towering shadows of Karachi’s ever-rising skyline hiding its slums, and Tharparkar’s dunes hiding its despair.

In Karachi, people may complain about inflation, but then go and buy bottled water. In Tharparkar, water itself is a privilege, and inflation is a question of survival. This contrast must hit you in the face.

Responsibility or performance?

Civil society, rights groups, leftist organizations, NGOs, political parties, and journalists — we often pat ourselves on the back after organizing a workshop or a human rights camp. Then we pack up, write lengthy reports, and return to our cities.

Meanwhile, the people stay behind. Still unemployed. Still unheard.

This work must go deeper than a day-long seminar. Sit with the people. Eat with them. Feel their dust on your skin. Wipe their tears with your hands. Share their rage.

A friend once said, “Karachi looks so beautiful from the 22nd floor of the Habib Bank Plaza.”

It does. But step down. Walk through a katchi abadi (slum). Or better yet, walk through the Islamkot Bazaar.

Only then will you understand the real cost of a pot of biryani.

The daig of alloo-channay ki biryani (potato and chickpeas biryani) cost Rs30, 000. That is not just a price tag; that is a punch in the gut because it barely fed 50 people (Rs600 per person).

Read: The hazards of coalmines in Tharparkar

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Ali Ousat is a Karachi-based senior journalist

First published in The Friday Times Lahore on May 15, 2025 

The post The Real Price of Biryani first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Sawera Nadeem

Sindh, Pakistan’s second-largest province by population, is rich in culture, history, and natural resources. Yet, when compared to other provinces like Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), it seems to lag behind in education, jobs, and development. Why is this happening? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Poor Education System

Schools without Teachers, Students without Schools

Many government schools in Sindh are in bad shape—some don’t have proper buildings, teachers, or even clean drinking water. In rural areas, children often skip school because they must work to help their families.

– Literacy Rate: Sindh’s literacy rate (around 60%) is lower than Punjab’s (65%).

– Ghost Schools: Some schools exist only on paper—teachers are paid but don’t show up.

Rich vs. Poor Divide

Wealthy families send their kids to private schools or abroad, while poor families struggle with broken government schools. This creates a huge gap between the educated and uneducated.

Unemployment and Few Job Opportunities

No Factories, No Jobs

Punjab has more industries (factories, tech companies, etc.), which create jobs. In Sindh, except for Karachi, there are very few industries.

-Karachi vs. Rest of Sindh: Karachi has jobs, but cities like Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana have few opportunities.

– Youth Leaving: Many young people move to Karachi or other provinces for work.

Agriculture Problems

Sindh has fertile land, but farmers face issues like:

– No water (due to unfair distribution from the Indus River).

– No modern tools (many still use old farming methods).

– Middlemen exploit them (they buy crops cheap and sell high).

Bad Governance and Corruption

Money Disappears Before Reaching People

Billions of rupees are given to Sindh for schools, hospitals, and roads—but much of it is lost to corruption.

– Ghost Employees: Some government jobs are given to people who don’t even work.

– Broken Hospitals: Many rural clinics have no doctors or medicines.

Political Families Control Everything

A few powerful families have ruled Sindh for decades. They focus on their own interests rather than solving public problems.

Karachi’s Neglect

Pakistan’s Biggest City, But Worst Roads

Karachi generates most of Pakistan’s revenue, but its infrastructure is crumbling.

– No Clean Water – Many areas rely on water tankers.

– Traffic Chaos – Poor roads and no proper public transport.

– Crime & Pollution– Street crimes and garbage piles are common.

Political Battles Hurt the City

Different parties fight over control of Karachi, leading to mismanagement.

Feudal System Holds People Back Landlords Rule like Kings

In rural Sindh, powerful landlords (waderas) control villages. They decide:

– Who gets education!

– Who gets jobs!

– Even who people vote for.

Many poor farmers work like slaves on their lands with no rights.

Can Sindh Catch Up?

Yes, but changes are needed:

Fix Schools– More teachers, better facilities, and strict checks on corruption.

Create Jobs – Build factories, improve farming, and support small businesses.

End Corruption– Punish those stealing public money.

Empower People– Break the feudal system so people can progress.

Final Thought

Sindh has the potential to grow, but bad governance, corruption, and outdated systems keep it stuck. The people of Sindh are hardworking and talented—they just need a fair chance.

Read: Sindh lagging behind in social and health indicators: report

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Sawera Nadeem, based in Karachi, is a Mass Communication student with a passion for research-based writing.  She focuses on topics that highlight public interest and social impact.

Read: Sindh’s Battle for the Indus

The post Why is Sindh Falling Behind? first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi, Sindh

Acting on the findings of an enquiry report submitted by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), the Sindh Government has taken an important decision to address corruption in sub-registrar offices.

The enquiry, which highlighted widespread irregularities over the past five to ten years in Karachi’s sub-registrar offices, led to the formation of a high-powered committee tasked with conducting a thorough investigation.

The committee, constituted with the approval of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and under the directives of Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, will investigate records to expose the extent of corruption and hold those responsible accountable. This investigative body is required to complete its task within 90 days and submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue Sindh.

Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah’s remarks on the initial enquiry report of Chief Ministers’ inspection team:

“After reviewing the inquiry report, it is alarming to note that examining just 29 Registered Deeds uncovered significant fraud. This likely indicates a larger issue. Investigating records from notorious sub-registrar offices in Karachi over the last five to ten years would likely reveal extensive corruption. The Board of Revenue should conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable. The task should be completed in 90-days; this must be followed by references to be made to Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment (E&ACE) for appropriate action. It is also important for the Board of Revenue to take steps to make good the injustice done to genuine and rightful title-holders by reaching out to the courts of competent jurisdictions on behalf of the state under intimation to the competent authorities and following the prescribed procedure, subject to Law. The Board of Revenue should consider the advisory recommendations from the inquiry committee and prepare a consolidated summary for review by the chief minister. The Board of Revenue must promptly rectify the record and thoroughly investigate the sub-registrar offices’ records. As a matter of policy, the Board of Revenue should be directed to transfer all those Sub-Registrars, who have served more than five years in Karachi Division to the divisions other than Karachi, in the interest of protecting the genuine owners from this organized crime.”

Read: National Corruption Perception Survey TI Pakistan 2022 

The committee is headed by Umar Farooque Bullo, Member Goathabad Wing, Board of Revenue Sindh, and includes Ahsan Ali Qureshi, Chief Inspector Stamps, Board of Revenue Sindh, Ghulam Qadir Khan Talpur, Inspector General Registration, Board of Revenue Sindh, Khadim Hussain Jarwar, Deputy Chief Inspector Stamps, Board of Revenue Sindh, and Khalid Hussain Chohan, District Registrar, Board of Revenue Sindh, Mirpurkhas Division, as a co-opted member.

This decisive move by the Sindh Government is part of its ongoing commitment to eradicating corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability in public offices. By addressing irregularities in sub-registrar offices, the government aims to restore public trust and enhance the efficiency of the system. (PR)

Read: Corruption Rampant at District Treasury Offices in Sindh

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The post High-powered committee formed to investigate corruption in Sindh’s Registrar Offices first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• Why merit is sold out? Why none is ready to improve the exam system? Why is there so much hype around MDCAT? Why can’t these exams be conducted by relevant educational boards, like the Higher Secondary and Secondary School certifications?

Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo

The story of corruption and mismanagement in the MDCAT continues, unchanged, even after 24 years. Decades ago, my wife attempted her medical entry test. Though selected, she was offered admission to a university far from her hometown. The only doctor in our family advised her father to forgo that seat, hoping for a better opportunity. That moment sealed her fate—she became a housewife, now dedicating herself to our home.

Years later in 2024, our daughter, a bright student who excelled in every academic challenge, chose her path in medicine early. She started preparing for MDCAT the moment she entered 9th grade, opting for biology as her major. Over the next four years, she studied relentlessly, never taking a break. She covered every syllabus available in Pakistan, watched every YouTube lecture, and created and revised notes multiple times. What was once considered a sacred responsibility education has now become a lucrative business. Coaching centers demanded exorbitant fees, which we paid for her MDCAT preparation.

September 22nd, was judgment day. After years of preparation, she faced the test that would decide her future. The university administration forced parents to park at the university gate and walk three kilometers under the morning sun. Though manageable at 7:30 AM, the scorching sun of Jamshoro soon began to take its toll. The massive buildings offered no respite, and students were crammed under poorly ventilated tents to take their three-and-a-half-hour life-altering exam. No waiting areas were provided for parents, no accessible washroom facilities for women, and despite the steep registration fees, there was no concern for the parents and students enduring this heat.

It’s all about corruption. Everyone is trying to take as much as they can, while no one neither the federal nor provincial governments, cares about the well-being of the students or the parents who support them.

We were new to this system, and we also knew we couldn’t afford to buy the MDCAT exam papers in advance, as some wealthier families did. Some of our relatives managed to acquire the test in secret, allowing their children to prepare overnight. I’m certain those children will be selected, while students like my daughter, who sacrificed sleep, time, emotions, and energy for four years, may see their dreams shattered.

Read – MDCAT: A False Hope on the Horizon

As I lay in a park, under the shade of a single tree hosting more than 40 people from multiple backgrounds, with mosquitoes and flies buzzing around and beggars and street vendors leaving no room for thought, I am left with questions for which I have found no answers. Why merit is sold out? Why none is ready to improve the exam system? Why is there so much hype around MDCAT? Why can’t these exams be conducted by relevant educational boards, like the Higher Secondary and Secondary School certifications? It would make it easier for both parents and administrators. Why is a university, notorious for leaking exam papers, entrusted with this responsibility year after year? Why are these exams held in the peak of summer? Why can’t they be scheduled for winter?

Read: Massive Corruption Detected in Board of Intermediate Education Karachi

It’s all about corruption. Everyone is trying to take as much as they can, while no one neither the federal nor provincial governments, cares about the well-being of the students or the parents who support them.

Read: History of Judicial Corruption

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Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo, based in Hyderabad, is a specialist in Institutional Development, MEAL, and Fundraising. linkedin.com/in/zaheer-udin-babar-junejo-0a30a9152

The post MDCAT: A Path to Hell first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Tashkent

In the new ranking by the International Anti-Corruption Organization Transparency International for the Corruption Perception Index in 2023, Uzbekistan secured the 121st position out of 180, rising by five positions compared to 2022. The country shares this rank with Angola, Mongolia, and Peru, Gazeta.uz reports.

On the 100-point index (where 0 indicates an extremely high level of corruption and 100 indicates an extremely low level), Uzbekistan scored 33 points (compared to 31 points the previous year).

In the organization’s regional review, among the main measures that significantly contributed to Uzbekistan’s improvement in its ranking in recent years, the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency is highlighted, along with the improvement of legislation and economic liberalization.

Also read: Corruption Rampant at District Treasury Offices in Sindh

“It is important to note that rules and procedures were introduced to ensure compliance with these laws, and criminal charges were brought against numerous corrupt officials. The government has also implemented stricter internal control and audit tools in various ministries and local government bodies, including mechanisms to prevent bribery,” note experts from Transparency International.

Also read: NAB Sindh initiates action in cases of corruption in Pension Fund

“Nevertheless, the authoritarian regime resists attempts to introduce principles of transparency and democracy, controlling legislative and public institutions and using the judicial system to persecute dissent. This fuels corruption and underscores the need for comprehensive reforms,” the review states.

In the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, which includes 19 countries (including Uzbekistan), Georgia demonstrated the best result, ranking 49th with 53 points. Kazakhstan, with 39 points, positioned itself at 93rd place.

Also read: Pakistan’s ranking on corruption perception index improves by 7 spots: report

Belarus is at 98th place in the ranking with 37 points, Ukraine is at 104th with 36 points. Kyrgyzstan and Russia each scored 26 points, sharing the 141st position.

Tajikistan (20 points) and Turkmenistan (18 points) claimed the 162nd and 170th positions, respectively.

Denmark retained its position as the leader of the ranking this year with 90 points, followed by Finland (87) and New Zealand (85).

At the bottom of the list are Syria and Venezuela (both with 13 points), sharing the 177th position, and Somalia (180th place, 11 points).

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on January 30, 2024)

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Staff Report

Karachi, Sindh

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh is taking action against the officers and other persons involved in the cases of corruption in the pension fund of the government employees.

This was informed by the NAB officials during a meeting of Chairman, NAB Lieutenant General (R) Nazir Ahmed with Sindh Chief Secretary Dr. Muhammad Fakhre Alam and the civil bureaucrats at Sindh secretariat here on Monday.

Raising the issue, Chief Secretary said that there were reports of corruption in the pension fund in Sindh, in which action is being taken against the officers involved.

Also read: Corruption Rampant at District Treasury Offices in Sindh

Director General NAB Sindh Javed Akbar Riaz informed that during the investigation of pension fund, some secretaries were called and relevant information was taken from them, on the basis of which NAB has conducted an inquiry against the relevant officers / persons.

NAB Officers will not harass Bureaucrats

Earlier, Chairman, NAB Lieutenant General (R) Nazir Ahmed said that he wants to assure the officers that NAB will not harass them and they should openly play their key role in the development of the country. He further said that he is bringing reforms in NAB and no officer will be subjected to a media trial during the process of complaint verification and inquiry.

He further said that complaints written under fictitious names or anonymous will not be accepted in NAB. “I know the bureaucrats are working under immense pressure,” he said and added that due to the ongoing cases in NAB, the development projects get delayed, which should not happen and the projects should be completed on time.

Also read: Corruption is a Poison

He asked the civil bureaucrats to hold open Kutchehries and try to solve the problems of the people by listening to them in person.

Chairman NAB announced facilitation desk will be established at Chief Secretary Sindh Office wherein concerns and complaints of officers of Government of Sindh will be discussed and all efforts will be made to resolve such matters on fast track basis. He further said that in order to ensure open door policy and accessibility for all, monthly open hearing (Open Kuchehries) are being conducted at NAB Offices.

Read more: History of Judicial Corruption

Chairman Planning Board Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo, Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Iqbal Memon, IG Sindh Riffat Mukhtar Raja, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Manzoor Ali Sheikh, Senior Member Board of Revenue Zahid Abbasi, Chairman Anti-Corruption Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Secretary (General Administration) Muhammad Ali Khoso, Secretary Information Nadeem ur Rehman Memon, and all other secretaries attended the meeting while all the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners attended the meeting through video link.

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Lagos, Correspondent

CAJ (Congress of African Journalists) International Magazine welcomes the New Year in a hot edition that covers Africa and the world. The cover story on Uganda, a host of over 1.5 million refugees, explains its plan to roll out some transition strategies for refugees. Among the trending refugee some transition strategies for refugees. Among the trending refugee themes is the localization. UNHCR, the government and partners are strategizing to make refugees their own community front-runners in local change making. This truly is a path to refugee resilience. In the non-profit world, international organizations and donors pick refugee-led organizations to work with in designing and implementing tailored programs. This transfers resources needed to refugees through refugee organizations to champion local response against their Community challenges. One of the key concerns facing refugees and hosts is the effect of climate change. These include drought and energy shortage affecting livelihoods.

The cover story on Uganda, a host of over 1.5 million refugees, explains its plan to roll out some transition strategies for refugees

Alison Lemeri of CAJ International Magazine in this edition reports “It is this and more other causes that many refugee and host organizations are locally designing solutions to fight. But nothing bigger and scalable is possible without giving them resources. After years of serving their communities, most of them have built expertise base in project development, implementation and reporting. Many international organizations helped make this possible when they engaged them in capacity strengthening trainings and partnerships. They now need the trust of donors to funds, equipment and materials…” This story is our cover for this edition.

For Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, 2023 was a significant year – He celebrated new books translated by him, and other books translated for him as well. The four poetry publications of the Eurasian Literary Festival, Cairo, were (4 Poets on the Silk Road), (My Horizons in Sequence) by the poet Alexandra Ochirova, the Silk Road Anthology series (Nano-Poems for Africa), and (A Street in Cairo) in the Russian language, translated by the Russian-Azerbaijani poet Eldar Akhadov. This spring, the Iranian poet, Professor Nasrin Shakibi Mumtaz, sent him two new collections published in Tehran in Persian, in which she translated two of his Arabic volumes: (On the Path of Death) and (The Memory of Silence). In Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival in Taiwan, November 2023, he had two more books translated from English ; (4 Hakka Poets from Taiwan), namely Ching-Fa Wu, Tseng Kuei-Hai, Du Pan Fang-ge, and Fang-Tzu Chang, and the Taiwanese poet, storyteller, and painter Miao-yi Tu’s book (They Are the Daughters of Siraya). Indeed, 2023 was a year of poetry for Ashraf.

On Fafang Town’s Agricultural Subsidies: A Beacon of Inspiration for Sierra Leone Farmers, which Luke Kakpa Pessima visited as during his visit in Liangzhou, D District, Gansu Province, China, as a masters student in International Development Policies and Governance at China Agricultural University (CAU), he investigated amid the attractive landscapes of Shiyanghe Basin. Fafang Town has risen as a symbol of hope and transformation for the country’s farmers in the west desert.

In a region where agriculture serves as the lifeblood of the economy, Fafang Town’s visionary agricultural subsidy program has become a shining example of success. Initiated in 2005 through a collaboration between local leaders, progressive farmers and National Development Agricultural Experts (NDAE), the program aimed to address the long-standing challenges faced by farmers in the area. Access to agricultural inputs such as high-quality seeds and fertilizers, irrigation infrastructure, and machinery, coupled with extensive training and education on farming techniques, laid the foundation for a paradigm shift in agricultural productivity.

Oseni Yusuf Salam writes “Beyond Aid: Africa’s Rising Tide of Ingenuity Reshapes the World”, mentioning that beyond the tired narrative of African dependence, shine a light on the burgeoning wave of native ingenuity washing over the continent, shaping solutions not just for Africa, but for the entire world. “Dive into the heart of a bustling innovation hub in Nairobi, Lagos, or Kigali. Paint a vivid picture of young Africans collaborating, hacking away at challenges, and birthing game-changing ideas showcases a captivating array of homegrown revolutionary solutions”.

The Africa Union estimates that $140 billion is lost through corruption annually. This is equivalent to the GDP of all but five countries in Africa

On “Islamic Justice and the Fight Against Corruption in Africa, we read the column of Robert Nestrooy Kayongo “HARD TALK” and the challenge across the continent of Africa, infiltrating various sectors and institutions with far-reaching consequences. It spans from the northern reaches to the southern tip, manifesting in various forms. Among its diverse effects are: eroding trust in governance structures, impeding socio-economic development, and hindering the equitable distribution of resources. Its prevalence poses a substantial threat to the realization of Africa’s potential, undermining efforts towards stability, progress, and sustainable growth”

“The Africa Union estimates that $140 billion is lost through corruption annually. This is equivalent to the GDP of all but five countries in Africa. To put this in another perspective, this amount can ensure uninterrupted power 24 hours a day to every citizen in Africa for 3 years!”

Gambia Braces Up to Celebrate Bicentenary Commemoration of Returned Slaves in the country’s Island settlement of Janjanbureh in 1823. According to Hamat N.K Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture, the purpose of the commemoration is to reflect and celebrate the return of slaves to the settlement of Janjanbureh in 1823 exactly two hundred years ago, noting that to this effect, a National Organizing Committee has been set-up to oversee the organization of the commemoration that is slated for 4-7th January, 2024. Details in Kebba Ansu Manneh’s report.

Former Times of Eswatini newspaper Deputy Editor and journalist, has turned against his former profession and called for government to control the media. The former journalist is now Mbabane East Member of Parliament, after winning elections in September 2023.

The pretentious Dlamini, is the President of the Swaziland National of Journalists (SNAJ). According to the Eswatini Observer Newspaper dated 29 November, 2023, Dlamini was speaking in November, 2023 during the parliamentarians’ five-day induction conference at the Happy Valley Hotel. Chairman of the Editor’s Forum and Eswatini Observer’s Managing Editor, Mbongeni Mbingo, presented on the relationship between the media and Parliament. Dube Eugene covers the story of “A journalist biting his Profession in the leg”.

Dela Ahiawor, writes on concerns flaring over press freedom in Ghana, “Thus the need arises to fight off the recurring problem of media muzzling in the bid to safeguard press freedom. In fact, muzzling the media is a national headache. For the fact that, Ghana’s rank in the 2023

World Press Freedom Index is 62 out of 180 countries -the worst press freedom ranking in 17 years. Point by point, Ghana slipped two places from 60 in 2022 to 62 in 2023.However on the African continent Ghana inched up to 9th position in 2023 from 10th position in 2022 Giving voice to the attack on Onua TV/ Onua FM, the International President of the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ), Mr. Michael Adeboboye in an interview with CAJ International Magazine recently said: “the attempt by the National Media Commission in Ghana to take Onua TV/Onua FM off the air is condemnable and must be resisted.” With Africa showing low levels of press freedom since 2003, Mr. Adeboboye urged African leaders to ensure freedom of the press in 2024 to foster the needed development on the continent.”

In this edition, there are other interesting stories from other African countries and diaspora including an interview with Korean journalist, traveler and writer; Cherry (Lee Yeon-Sil) whose name seeming unsung but has contacts in over 200 different countries of the world.

Published under the International Cooperation with The AsiaN, Seoul, South Korea

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