When Faisalabad City Police Officer Sahibzada Bilal Umar took notice of the release of two arrested drug peddlers by Samanabad police, it exposed yet another layer of deep-rooted corruption within Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies. His intervention led to a raid by Iqbal Town division SP Abid Zafar, who, upon searching the police station, discovered narcotics stashed inside the cupboard of the Station House Officer (SHO) Imtiaz Ahmad. This blatant collusion between law enforcement officers and criminals is not an isolated incident but a symptom of an overarching crisis where police and security agencies are often found complicit in crimes they are meant to prevent.
The corruption within Pakistan’s police force is neither a new revelation nor a sporadic issue. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023, Pakistan ranked 140th out of 180 countries, with a score of 27 out of 100, indicating a significant perception of corruption in its institutions. Various reports have highlighted that law enforcement agencies remain among the most corrupt institutions in the country. The perception of widespread bribery, misuse of authority, and criminal collusion has eroded public trust in Pakistan’s security apparatus.
One of the most alarming facets of this corruption is the involvement of police and security officials in human trafficking. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is responsible for countering human trafficking, has been found complicit in facilitating the very crime it is tasked with eliminating. Multiple reports have surfaced implicating FIA officials at Lahore and Islamabad airports in enabling illegal migration by providing fake travel documents and accepting bribes from human traffickers. In one instance, FIA officers were caught assisting traffickers in sending illegal migrants to Europe and the Middle East, highlighting the extent of the rot within the agency.
Similarly, drug smuggling has become a lucrative avenue for corrupt officials. The Faisalabad incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Law enforcement officers have been found working in tandem with drug cartels, allowing the smuggling of heroin, methamphetamine, and other narcotics across the country. A 2022 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that Pakistan remains a major transit hub for Afghan heroin, with security officials often turning a blind eye in exchange for kickbacks. In another case, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) personnel were found protecting a high-profile drug dealer in Karachi instead of arresting him.
Extortion and kidnapping for ransom have also become standard practices for corrupt officials, with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) being implicated in multiple cases. Originally created to combat terrorism, the CTD has, in some instances, morphed into an extortionist wing. In 2023, several CTD officers were arrested for running a protection racket, demanding money from businesses under the threat of implicating them in terrorism-related cases. Similarly, law enforcement agencies in Karachi have been accused of orchestrating fake encounters to justify extrajudicial killings while eliminating individuals deemed inconvenient to their interests.
The international community has also taken note of the deteriorating state of law enforcement in Pakistan. The United States Department of State, in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, placed Pakistan on its watch list, citing official complicity in human trafficking. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has repeatedly expressed concerns over Pakistan’s failure to curb money laundering and terrorist financing, much of which is facilitated by corrupt elements within the security agencies. Even the European Union, in its discussions regarding Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, has raised concerns over law enforcement’s involvement in criminal enterprises.
Corruption within Pakistan’s security agencies is deeply entrenched due to several factors. Political patronage protects corrupt officials from accountability, while weak internal oversight mechanisms fail to deter misconduct. Officers often view their positions as opportunities for financial gain rather than as responsibilities to serve the public. The lack of proper incentives, including low salaries and limited career growth, further exacerbates the problem, as many officers turn to bribery and criminal activity to supplement their income. The judiciary’s own susceptibility to corruption makes it nearly impossible to hold these officers accountable, ensuring that the cycle of misconduct continues unabated.
Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive overhaul of Pakistan’s law enforcement structure. The establishment of an independent anti-corruption commission with prosecutorial powers is essential. Such a body must be empowered to investigate and take action against corrupt police officials, free from political interference. Additionally, increasing salaries, providing better training, and ensuring merit-based promotions could incentivize ethical behavior within the force. Enhancing the role of the judiciary in holding corrupt officials accountable through expedited trials and severe punishments would also serve as a deterrent.
Moreover, technology-driven solutions such as body cameras, GPS tracking for law enforcement vehicles, and digital case management systems could help curb on-the-ground corruption by increasing transparency and accountability. Public awareness campaigns emphasizing the rights of citizens and encouraging whistleblowing could also play a crucial role in exposing corrupt practices.
Pakistan’s security agencies were created to protect the people, yet their rampant corruption has made them predators instead. Unless decisive action is taken, these institutions will continue to serve as instruments of oppression and crime rather than guardians of law and order. The Faisalabad police scandal is just one of many reminders that the rot runs deep. Without immediate and systemic reforms, Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies will remain more feared than trusted, perpetuating a cycle of corruption that erodes both justice and national security.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
