Whistleblowers in Pakistan could soon get 20% reward under new anti-corruption bill

Pakistan's lower house is set to debate the "Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Act, 2025," a bill designed to crack down on corruption by rewarding whistleblowers with 20% of the amount recovered and a certificate of appreciation.

According to the bill, if multiple whistleblowers contribute to a single recovery, the 20% reward will be divided based on their contributions, as determined by the Commission.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar introduced the bill in the Senate on April 25. The Senate passed it last month after it was cleared by the Standing Committee on Law and Justice. It will now be presented in the National Assembly for final approval.

Under the bill, whistleblowers who face or are likely to face prejudicial treatment for their disclosures may apply to the Commission for redress. The Commission may then issue orders to the concerned authorities as it sees fit.

The law proposes the formation of an independent Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission. It will have at least three members, including a chairperson, all appointed by the federal government for a term of three years. The maximum age for any member is 65.

The chairperson will be chosen from within the Commission. Individuals with a record of moral or financial corruption, persons with disabilities, and those who miss three consecutive meetings will be disqualified or removed.

To qualify, whistleblowers must submit verified information through email or text with supporting evidence. Anonymous or unverifiable submissions will not be considered.

The bill seeks to replace the Public Interest Disclosure Act of 2017, which the government says failed to offer sufficient safeguards against false or malicious disclosures and lacked an independent body to handle complaints.

According to the bill’s statement of objects and reasons, the current law’s reliance on existing government structures creates a conflict of interest and discourages transparency. The new bill aims to correct these flaws by establishing an independent authority to encourage accountability and protect whistleblowers.

The government argues that repealing the 2017 Act and implementing this new framework is essential to ensure whistleblowers are heard, protected, and fairly rewarded.