Bribery has long been deeply entrenched in the culture of policing across Pakistan, often described as one of the most visible and systemic forms of corruption in the country.
At almost every level of interaction—whether it is a routine traffic stop, registration of an FIR, investigation of a case, issuance of a character certificate, or even the recovery of stolen property, citizens frequently encounter demands for bribes, commonly referred to as “chai-pani,” “madad,” or “rishwat.”
Lower-ranking constables and head constables are the most commonly accused of demanding small to medium bribes for day-to-day matters such as letting vehicles pass without proper documents, avoiding challans, or overlooking minor violations.
These petty bribes often range from a few hundred to a few thousand rupees, depending on the situation and the perceived ability of the citizen to pay.
At higher levels, including station house officers (SHOs), investigating officers (IOs), and even some senior superintendents, larger sums are reportedly demanded in serious criminal cases.
These can include payments to register or not register a case, to include or exclude names in an FIR, to conduct a fair investigation, to submit a favorable challan, or even to suppress evidence.
In high-profile or politically sensitive cases, the amounts can run into lakhs or even crores of rupees.
Several factors contribute to this pervasive culture. Low salaries, especially for lower ranks, combined with high inflation and poor living conditions, push many officers toward corruption as a means of survival. Political interference is another major driver, many police stations are run as personal fiefdoms of local influential politicians or feudal lords, where officers are expected to generate revenue through bribes to please their patrons or to meet unofficial “monthly targets” set by superiors.
Lack of accountability further perpetuates the problem. Internal mechanisms such as departmental inquiries and vigilance cells are often ineffective, while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other anti-corruption bodies rarely take up routine police corruption cases.
Citizens, fearing retaliation or prolonged legal battles, usually prefer to pay rather than complain.
Despite repeated announcements of “zero tolerance” policies by police leadership and governments, and occasional high-profile arrests of officers caught on camera or in sting operations, the culture of bribery remains largely unchanged.
Public trust in the police remains among the lowest of any institution in Pakistan, with Transparency International and various local surveys consistently ranking the police as one of the most corrupt public-sector entities.
Until systemic reforms, higher salaries, strict merit-based promotions, insulation from political interference, independent and effective accountability mechanisms, and a genuine cultural shift within the force are implemented, the bribery culture in Pakistani policing is likely to persist, undermining the rule of law and public confidence in the criminal justice system.
