According to Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), Pakistan has lost an unbelievably high amount, more than Rs8,500 billion

(Rs8.5 trillion or US$94 billion), in corruption, tax evasion and bad governance during the last four years of Zardari-led Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilanis tenure. Corruption has increased in recent years at alarming level. It is a crosscutting and devastating phenomenon; be it economic, social, political or cultural. The incumbent PPP government, supported by MQM, PMLQ and ANP has broken its own records of corruption. Corruption is both a major cause and a result of poverty around the country. Pakistan has a backward economy, political instability, and corruption at all levels of society and government. Pervasive corruptions reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government, private investments and finally alienate the citizens from their Government. It undermines society and development and the poor are hard hit. Corrupt Government, and corrupt politicians are never serious about weeding out corruption and lacking in political will are the common refrains on the lips of every Pakistani today. There is corruption in each and every segment of our society. The people of Pakistan nowadays tolerate corruption. They do not expect that they will ever see a change. In fact, corruption in Pakistan is now considered a way of life that cannot be avoided or eradicated. It has been institutionalized. In every private or public institution corruption is practiced shamelessly. What is particularly awe- inspiring is that the extent and level of corruption has today left no aspect of public life untouched. But more alarming is the manner in which it impinges on the daily life of the people, virtually drawing each one into its clutches. We cannot just pinpoint anyone; it occurs at all levels of society, from local and national governments, civil society, lower judiciary functions, large and small businesses, bureaucracy and other services and so on. Given the absence of a transparent system, bribery and other irregularities are common. An interesting thing is that in the economically powerful nations with the most money in play, where there have been some significant financial seismic activity the perception of corruption is almost zero. Corruption has been highlighted as the main reason behind slow, poor quality and faulty services in the country. Corruption affects the poorest the most, though all elements of society are affected in some way as corruption undermines political development, democracy, economic development, the environment, peoples health and more. Today the 180 million plus people of our country are not affected only by the top level corruption, what affects them equally in their daily lives is when they have to get their daily needs, like a electricity or gas connection or a water connection or get admission in the school etc., they have to grease somebodys palms, pay a bribe to get these things. That is what harasses them. At a national level, peoples effective participation and representation in society is undermined by corruption, while at local levels, corruption makes day to day lives more painful for all affected. Why should I just say politicians or bureaucrats? Today, be it an educationist or a lawyer or a doctor or business tycoons or NGOs or media houses every segment at any level there is corruption. Even there are certain government establishments where the simple transfer of an employee from one place to another reportedly needs large sums of money to be given to a higher authority. It is also well known that in some of the public departments every subordinate officer gives a fixed amount to his higher authority as a share of illegally earned money which is shameful.