The Pakistani government is set to approve the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Act 2025, aimed at enhancing protections for individuals who report corruption.
Whistleblowers—those who report misconduct within organizations, government agencies, or businesses— are considered crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability.
A Ministry of Law and Justice official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Dot that the bill has been prepared and submitted to the federal cabinet for approval.
“According to the rules, it is necessary to get in-principle approval before approving any law, which has been granted,” the official said.
“There is a possibility of approving this bill in the next cabinet meeting. After that, it will be sent to parliament for final approval.”
The proposed law seeks to simplify the process of reporting corruption, provide protection from retaliation, and offer financial incentives for credible disclosures.
The new bill replaces the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Ordinance of 2019, which was never fully implemented. The Ministry of Law and Justice has been tasked with drafting the updated legislation, which will now be sent to parliament for approval following the cabinet’s endorsement.
Key provisions
Under the new law, a Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission will be established, comprising at least three members, including a chairman, with the possibility of expansion if needed. According to sources, protections for whistleblowers have been enhanced under Clause 12 of the proposed law.
The commission will have the authority to receive and assess whistleblower complaints and will operate with the powers of a civil court under Pakistan’s legal framework. The law mandates that whistleblower disclosures be submitted in writing or electronically, accompanied by supporting evidence.
To prevent false accusations, anonymous complaints or those found to contain false information will not be entertained.
Additionally, individuals found guilty of filing frivolous or baseless reports could face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to PKR 200,000 ($700).
In cases where a whistleblower’s information leads to financial recovery, they will be rewarded with 20% of the retrieved amount and receive a certificate of appreciation.
Strict confidentiality measures are also outlined, ensuring that a whistleblower’s identity remains protected unless they provide written consent. Anyone found guilty of exposing a whistleblower’s identity without authorization could face a fine of up to PKR 500,000 ($1,750), payable to the whistleblower as compensation.
Challenges in implementation
Legal experts and activists acknowledge the importance of the legislation but highlight concerns regarding its implementation.
Faisal Chaudhry, a legal expert, noted that while whistleblower protection laws exist globally, Pakistan’s weak institutional framework and judicial challenges may hinder their enforcement.
“Our society struggles to protect individuals who speak out against corruption. Without effective implementation, this law may not be able to serve its intended purpose,” he said.
Senior lawyer Qazi Misbah-ul-Haq emphasized that past whistleblower protection measures in Pakistan have been ineffective.
“This is not a new concept—previous laws also promised protection and financial incentives for informants. However, trust between whistleblowers and law enforcement remains low, and there’s little precedent of rewards being granted,” he explained.
Anti-corruption commitments and failures
Pakistan ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2007, committing to implementing legal measures to protect whistleblowers.
Transparency International, a global anti-corruption watchdog, has repeatedly urged Pakistan to introduce effective whistleblower protection laws to strengthen governance and reduce corruption.
In 2024, the organization called on both federal and provincial governments to enact comprehensive legislation aligned with UNCAC provisions, including mechanisms for safe reporting and safeguards against retaliation.
Despite these commitments, past efforts to legislate whistleblower protections have faltered.
The 2019 ordinance expired after 120 days without any commission being formed. Similarly, in 2021, a parliamentary committee declined to act on a proposed whistleblower protection bill.
The government’s renewed push for the 2025 legislation signals a fresh attempt to institutionalize whistleblower protections, though its success will depend on practical enforcement.
The Ministry of Law and Justice will now present the final draft of the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Act 2025 to the cabinet for formal approval before it is sent to parliament.
If enacted, the law could mark a significant step toward strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms in Pakistan. However, experts caution that without concrete implementation measures, whistleblowers may still hesitate to come forward, fearing retaliation or lack of state support.
