Pakistan’s governance landscape faces a perception crisis, as a comprehensive survey unmasks the rift between citizen beliefs and institutional realities. The newly minted Index of Transparency and Accountability (ITAP), powered by Ipsos and FPCCI, quantifies this breach with data from an expansive nationwide probe.
Fielded from late 2025 into early 2026, the effort engaged 6,000+ participants from diverse locales—82 districts, 195+ tehsils—balanced by gender and geography, including 300 agency staff. Results, splashed across local press, show 68% viewing public offices as bribe-ridden, contrasted by 27% actual solicitations.
‘High corruption meets even higher perception,’ quipped Abdul Sattar Babar, Ipsos MD, in a Dawn interview. Amid the gloom, public hospitals shine brighter, buoyed by 53% recent user interactions.
The 36-question framework assessed everything from nepotism flags to anti-corruption awareness and reform impacts. Designed as an indigenous yearly gauge, ITAP empowers stakeholders to track and elevate standards.
This trust erosion hampers development; reversing it requires multifaceted action—stricter enforcement, public campaigns, and tech-enabled services. As Pakistan eyes stability, closing the perception gap could unlock broader societal gains and institutional legitimacy.