Following my blog of 13 July in which I mentioned Transparency International report that suggests that in the last three years, corruption in Pakistan has increased by 400 percent, a major national newspaper The News last week reported on massive corruption in the public sector organizations. The report suggests:
- “Government decisions, in total disregard to merit, fair play and transparency, based on personal monetary gains for a few individuals in the government have grossly compounded the economic miseries of Pakistan and turned several government organizations into insolvent corporate entities.”
The report challenges the elected government by suggesting:
- “Positioning of several handpicked corrupt and incompetent officials in key appointments at the government-run companies, in many cases without an active approval of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, has left a trail of incredible cases of corruption never witnessed before.”
It is indeed astonishing to see investigative journalism breaking such news; however careful scrutiny prior to reporting is necessary as it puts credibility of reporter and publication at high risk. Hence the need for continued training of journalists is required particularly in countries like Pakistan where journalism was gagged by successive military governments over the last six decades.
Published Date: August 12, 2009