Sir: Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of the people in a position of authority. Corruption is worse than prostitution — the latter might anger the morals of an individual but the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. Corruption is a complex, social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries, undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. On October 31, 2003, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations convention against corruption. The Assembly also designated December 9 as an international day against corruption to raise awareness about corruption and the role of the convention in combating and preventing it. The convention came into force in December 2005. In 2012, Pakistan ranked as the 34th most corrupt country in the whole world. According to the calculations performed by Transparency International, Pakistan has lost an unbelievable Rs 8.5 trillion because of corruption and bad governance. Corruption increases dozens of problems like inflation, unemployment, ignorance, unequal distribution of wealth and more. As much as 89 percent of the government and private departments in our country are involved in corruption: education, health, public utilities, sports, taxation and more. The solution is not easy because most people are involved in corruption to fulfil their basic needs — 68 percent of the Pakistan people are unable to meet their basic needs. First, we should follow our constitution where it says that prices of commodities should not be more than what can be afforded by the people and that there must be accountability from a peon to the president. SHAHNAWAZ MEMON Hyderabad