The way we talk about corruption in Pakistan is long overdue for a reality check.

Too often, public discourse is drowned in hyperbole, painting corruption as a monolithic plague that devours every institution without exception. Yet the latest National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) 2025 forces us to confront a more nuanced, sometimes surprising picture one that challenges popular assumptions and offers a clearer roadmap toward reform. This report, conducted with unprecedented rigor and inclusivity, does not certify corruption levels but captures the collective mood and lived experiences of Pakistanis across the country. And those experiences tell a story that deserves serious attention.

The NCPS 2025 is the most robust exercise of its kind in Pakistan’s recent history. With a sample size expanded to 4,000 respondents spanning 20 districts, it takes into account urban and rural voices, gender diversity, and persons with disabilities groups often sidelined in past surveys. Such inclusivity ensures that the data is no longer a narrow snapshot, but a truly national pulse. Importantly, this survey is a domestic initiative by Transparency International Pakistan and should not be conflated with the global Corruption Perceptions Index, where Pakistan’s rankings remain unchanged. This distinction is critical for policymakers and commentators alike, as it refocuses the debate on ground realities rather than external perceptions.

One of the most striking findings is that a significant majority 66 percent of respondents reported not having faced any bribery demands in the last twelve months........

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