The pervasive nature of corruption in Pakistan (ranking at 133 out of 180 countries corruption perception index and rule of law score at 0.38 significantly) undermines economic development, public confidence in institutions, and the overall governance landscape.

Sociologist Edwin Sutherland first introduced the term “white-collar crimes” in 1939 to describe non-violent, financially motivated offences perpetrated by individuals who occupy positions of authority, trust, or power.

White-collar crimes often involve complex acts of manipulation, fraud, and exploitation within the financial, corporate, or legal sectors. This contrasts sharply with traditional offences like theft or violent crimes.

Sutherland’s pioneering research challenged the widely held belief that crime is predominantly an issue associated with lower socioeconomic groups. He argued convincingly that criminal behaviour is also prevalent among individuals in the upper classes, who frequently exploit structural weaknesses within the system for their financial gain.

Following Sutherland, scholars such as Cressey extended the discourse surrounding white-collar crime further by noting that many offenders often rationalize their behaviour. They believe that their actions are justifiable, or that they are unlikely to be caught, illustrating a psychological layer to these offences that complicates prevention and prosecution. This rationalisation theory has become instrumental in understanding the mindset of white-collar offenders and the societal conditions that enable their actions.

Despite being non-violent, these offences often yield significant financial and social repercussions, adversely affecting numerous citizens and tarnishing the reputations of vital institutions. The accountability mechanisms in place to combat these........

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