Survey of 4,000 citizens highlights public trust, institutional reforms and calls for accountability in key sectors
Corruption remains one of the top concerns of citizens across Pakistan, shaping trust in public institutions and influencing perceptions of governance, according to the National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) 2025.
NCPS 2025, conducted by Transparency International (TI) Pakistan and its partner organizations, provides a detailed snapshot of how citizens view integrity, accountability and service delivery in daily life.
The survey, which was conducted from September 22 to 29, 2025, covered 20 districts across all four provinces, with 4,000 respondents participating. This represents a significant expansion from the NCPS 2023, which surveyed 1,600 respondents in 16 districts.
“The survey explores a wide range of themes, including sectors perceived to be more corrupt, factors that contribute to corruption and public views on the accountability of anti-corruption institutions,” TI Pakistan chairman Justice (retd) Zia Perwez writes in the report.
“Issues related to political funding, whistleblower protection and transparency in tax-exempt charities reflect citizens’ growing concerns about integrity and transparency across all sectors,” he added.
The report emphasizes that the NCPS 2025 does not measure corruption per se, but rather captures the experiences and perceptions of citizens in their interactions with public institutions and services. Such perceptions are key indicators of public confidence and signal where reform is most urgently needed.
Described as a more robust and representative exercise, the survey ensured deliberate inclusion across urban-rural, gender and persons with disabilities (PWD) divides, giving the institutions a stronger nationwide gauge of public perception.
Key points
One striking result is that 66% of respondents said they had not encountered a situation in the past year where they felt compelled to pay a bribe for public services. This suggests that the pressure of day-to-day corruption is not a universal experience for citizens.
The survey also highlights public recognition of recent government efforts. About six in ten respondents either fully or partially agreed that the government has helped stabilize the economy through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list, indicating public recognition of challenging macroeconomic decisions.
An institutional scan in the report notes a 6% improvement in public perception of the police, attributed to positive changes in behavior and service delivery through reforms. Other institutions showing improved public perception include education, land and property, local government and taxation.
Critically, the NCPS outlines a clear public agenda for institutional reform. Citizens expressed a strong desire for better accountability, limited discretionary powers for government officials, and stronger right-to-information laws that offer a clear roadmap for policymakers to implement reforms.
There is also a strong public demand for the reform of the supervisory bodies themselves. A striking 78% of citizens want anti-corruption institutions such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to be more accountable and transparent, supporting the need for their internal reform rather than delegitimization.
The study offers a specific plan for the health sector, with citizens calling for stricter control of drug commissions, clearer rules for doctors’ private practice and stronger regulators supported by effective complaints mechanisms.
When it comes to politics and public spending, over 80% of respondents want business funding of political parties to be either banned or strictly regulated. In addition, 55% favor the removal of political names and images from government advertisements.
Finally, the report highlights a public willingness to engage in the fight against corruption under the right conditions. 42 percent stated that they would feel safe reporting corruption if strong whistleblower protection existed, with citizens clearly valuing anonymity and reward mechanisms in reporting systems.
TI Pakistan is the national chapter of Transparency International, Germany, while NCPS is a domestic exercise. The report notes that its findings do not factor into or change Pakistan’s standing on the global Corruption Perceptions Index.
NCPS 2025 therefore serves not only as a barometer of public sentiment, but also as a comprehensive guide to citizens’ expectations of governance and institutional integrity.
