Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 has been released. The new index offers a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world. The findings of Transparency International are quite discouraging for the future of the world as more than two third of the 177 countries in the 2013 index have scored below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).

Unexpectedly, Afghanistan’s position in the index continues to remain awful. In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Denmark and New Zealand tie for first place with scores of 91. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia this year make up the worst performers, scoring just 8 points each. This is a discredit for the government of Afghanistan. Such a low position clearly indicates that the government has not been taking any measures to curb corruption.

Corruption and all its forms exist in Afghanistan. This has been a trouble for the people of Afghanistan and international donors. The efficiency of huge amounts of fund poured in Afghanistan over the last decade has been insignificant, if not zero. It is simply the greatest injustice to the rights of people of Afghanistan that billions of dollars of international aids that are poured for the development and reconstruction of the country are just allowed to go futile and merely fill the pockets of certain groups of people that include land and drug mafias, government officials and insurgents.

Corruption in government organizations is also sucking the blood of the Afghan people at times when about 60% of them already suffer due to poverty. In February, the UN came up with a disappointing report on the level of corruption in Afghanistan. The cost of corruption in Afghanistan rose sharply last year to $3.9 billion, and half of all Afghans bribed public officials for services, the U.N. said.

The high level of corruption is directly putting the possibility of a fraud-free election next year in doubts. Already there have been serious reports on printing of millions of fake voter cards. There is fear that immense ballot-stuffing that occurred in 2009 election might repeat.

At Transparency International’s CPI, Afghanistan has been sharing position with the most corrupt countries of the world for many years. All know that key to a prosperous Afghanistan is in fighting corruption seriously. Government’s unwillingness in this regard is extremely disappointing.