THE IMF has asked Pakistan to comply with the publication of the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD) Assessment Report.
This demand comes alongside another critical condition: amending the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964 to allow action against public officials involved in corruption. These, in fact, are crucial steps toward ensuring transparency and accountability.
The publication of the GCD report is more than a procedural requirement; it is a test of political will to confront the deeply entrenched culture of corruption that undermines both democracy and development. Corruption is not a technical issue—it is a moral and national crisis. The state must send an unequivocal message that those involved in corrupt practices, regardless of status or connections, will face consequences. Amending the outdated conduct rules is essential to break the culture of impunity and to empower institutions to take action against wrongdoing. It is time to align the civil service code with the values of transparency, integrity and accountability. However, even as the country takes these necessary steps toward reform, it finds itself grappling with another grave challenge: the widespread devastation caused by recent floods. The natural disaster has not only displaced communities and damaged infrastructure but also dealt a severe blow to the economy. In this context, Pakistan has rightly proposed a Prime Minister’s Relief Package using emergency funds already earmarked in the 2025–26 budget. Yet, the IMF has insisted on a prior Damage and Needs Assessment before any such package can be implemented. While due diligence is important, the IMF must recognize that extraordinary times call for flexibility. When lives and livelihoods are at stake, speed is of the essence. As Pakistan navigates this difficult period, the dual responsibilities before the State are clear: to reform and to rebuild. The GCD report’s publication and the crackdown on corruption are essential for long-term governance and economic credibility. But so too is immediate and flexible support for those devastated by natural calamity. The IMF must remain firm on structural reforms but show compassion in implementation. Pakistan, for its part, must demonstrate that it is capable of reforming from within—not because the IMF demands it, but because its own future depends on it.
