A country is not judged only by the problems it faces, but also by the confidence its people continue to place in its institutions. At a time when Pakistan is frequently viewed through the lens of political uncertainty and governance challenges, the Pakistan Transparency Report 2026, released by Mishal Pakistan, offers a more balanced picture. Its findings do not portray a nation without challenges; rather, they reveal a Pakistan where institutional confidence, social trust and digital transformation are creating a foundation for a stronger future.
Based on a survey of 2,000 respondents from across Pakistan, the report provides important insights into how citizens perceive governance and public institutions. The demographic profile is particularly significant: 45 percent of respondents were aged 18–25, while 35 percent were between 26 and 35. With 67 percent holding graduate degrees, 32 percent holding master’s degrees and 1 percent holding PhDs, the findings reflect the perceptions of a predominantly young and educated population.
One of the most encouraging findings is the level of social trust within Pakistani society. Sixty-three percent expressed strong confidence in people they personally know, while 53 percent trusted society more broadly and 52 percent extended that trust to strangers. This social capital is an important national strength. Institutions can be strengthened through laws and reforms, but a society built on mutual confidence possesses an even deeper foundation for resilience.
The report also presents a positive picture of institutional awareness and accountability mechanisms. Pakistan has information-access laws at both the federal and provincial levels, while the Public Accounts Committee examines government institutions through audit findings. The Auditor General completed 683 audits through 29 field offices, identifying irregularities of approximately Rs224 billion. Such mechanisms demonstrate that Pakistan possesses structures through which public finances and institutional performance can be scrutinised.
Public confidence in national institutions is equally significant. Eighty-two percent of respondents expressed confidence in the Armed Forces’ ability to protect Pakistan’s borders, making them the most trusted institution highlighted by the survey. This figure is more than a statistic; it reflects the importance Pakistanis attach to national security and the role of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
Confidence in other institutions also presents opportunities for continued improvement. Forty percent expressed trust in the higher judiciary, while 43 percent showed confidence in policymakers and 39 percent expressed confidence in police reforms. Meanwhile, 52 percent believed the government was pursuing a long-term vision, and the same proportion remained optimistic about Pakistan’s future direction.
Pakistan’s digital transition provides another reason for optimism. Fifty-two percent believed e-governance was improving service delivery, while 54 percent felt the country was moving towards a digital future. At the same time, the dominance of social media as an information source reminds us that responsible communication and media literacy are increasingly important.
The real strength of this report is that it challenges the tendency to view Pakistan only through its shortcomings. Problems certainly require attention, but so do the achievements, institutional strengths and public confidence that often receive less recognition.
Pakistan’s future should not be defined by pessimism. It should be shaped by the institutions that protect it, citizens who believe in its potential and reforms that transform public confidence into lasting progress. Transparency should not merely expose weaknesses; it should also reveal the strengths upon which a nation can build. The figures suggest that Pakistan has those strengths. The responsibility now is to strengthen them further.
The writer is a freelance columnist
