The lust for acquisition of undying wealth, power and dominance has multiplied men’s needs and efforts. The act of corruption thus becomes so automatic in the human brain that it escapes the awareness of the perpetrator of corruption. Corruption in Afghanistan comes in as many forms as there could be. It comes in the form of bribery receiving and giving. It exists in the show of power and influence through real and concocted relationships with people in authority and the gains they can obtain from others.

Legally, corruption is the use of public power for private advantage in ways which transgresses some formal rule or law. Corruption has gained roots in our country because of wrong decisions and weak policies of the governments. The agencies responsible for checking corruption have completely failed in their mission. Thus accountability seems non-existent.

Corruption in present times has spread over the entire society as a cancerous disease in all forms. The most common forms of corruption are taking of bribes (money offered in cash or kind or gift etc), nepotism (undue favor from holder of patronage to relatives), misappropriation (using the money of other people for one's own sake), and patronage (undue or wrong support by people in position to friends and family members and favoritism) which are commonly observed in our society devoid concern of government. The common man is hurt by bribery he confronts at every step. He is required to pay not to get an undue advantage but more often, just to avoid harassment, injustice or delay. Thus it has become extortion, ever worse than bribe. Tragically, bribe is no longer viewed as a perversion of integrity. It is a necessity or need for both its giver and taker.

The extent of corruption is inversely proportional to the level of justice, accountability and indiscriminate application of law. As long as injustice and poverty prevail one cannot hope to eradicate corruption. A country based on the rule of law and equality caters for the genuine needs and wants of its members. But a country like Afghanistan where the rule of law is absent, the vacuum is filled by the rule of nuisance value. The rights, privileges and respect in such a society depend upon how much you can browbeat a man or woman. One may acquire an official position by virtue of which one is able to cause harm to others or to give them favor and advantage.

Regulating laws should be implemented with strictness and without prejudices, favoritism and nepotism, if needed; the outdated ones should be amended in order to check the acts of corruption. Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committees should be given free hands to operate within the jurisdiction of constitution and vigilance should be increased so that people think twice before indulging in corrupt practices. The escalating unchecked corruption absolutely marks the failure of governance.