The revelation of total amount of graft paid during last year definitely sends shock up to everyone’s spine. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the country has unveiled that Afghans paid almost 4 billion dollars as bribe to public and private officials. The amount is an equivalent to a quarter of total financial support promised in Tokyo conference, more than half of total public budget for 1392 fiscal year, double of the total amount public revenue during 2010 and 2011.

 The latest survey by the United Nations found that half of the country’s adult population had paid at least one bribe to public officials last year. However, it was mentioned in the report that the percentage of people who paid graft dropped by 9 percent in comparison to 2009 but the amount paid increased tremendously, showing 40 percent increase.

Definitely 4 billion US dollar as graft in a country where the per capita income stands below 1,000 US dollar is horrifying. With all efforts and promises made by government, the report shows nothing has taken place yet. Instead, people are also increasingly ignoring such detrimental phenomenon however all maintain that corruption is the main factor behind ineffectiveness of government in service delivery and economic growth and development.

 Corruption has spiked to a level that people do not react to it. Opening any website or watching any channels of television, it is really hard not to hear something about corruption. The talks and discussions over the issue have increasingly led to reducing its taboo and evilness, like for instance telling lie.

As the country is popular for religious conservativeness and people’s commitments to religious rituals, but many tell lies though lying is strictly prohibited in all sects of Islam. I fear that the progress in corruption paves the way for its acceptance and it continues to live on the bed of society. Even now, a part of people does not react to reports of major grafts, rather tries to ignore them by changing the channel of their television. Even more regrettably, some have already accepted. Putting the issue of widespread corruption at any gathering, there are individuals who say, “The salaries of public employees are really low. So, they do not have any other option except embezzlement”.

The spread of such concepts further complicates the process of fighting corruption. Because, civilian may not mount pressure on government and officials, the beneficiaries, keep their mouths shut and enjoy earning millions of Afghanis during their duty.