Farmane-Ilahi

ISLAMABAD (92 News) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s governance, citing political interference in civil service appointments, weak institutional accountability, and fragmented decision-making, all contributing to elevated corruption risks.

The findings follow a 12-day visit by the IMF’s legal mission, led by Joel Turkewitz, as part of its Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment. The team consulted around 30 government departments, with a full report due in August.

The IMF criticised politically driven appointments in state-run entities, the absence of a unified anti-corruption policy, and the weakened role of NAB. It also pointed to inconsistent enforcement of the Right to Information Act and regular violations of public procurement rules.

Concerns were also raised over poor contract enforcement, weak property rights, and slow judicial processes, all of which deter investment and erode public trust.

Key oversight bodies such as the Auditor General and Competition Commission were found lacking in their ability to prevent misuse of funds and regulate markets, particularly in the sugar industry.

Pakistani officials acknowledged the issues, with judicial representatives outlining ongoing reforms. The IMF’s final report is expected to recommend measures to reduce corruption and improve governance.