Daily Times

Imran Khan’s first address to the nation as the Prime Minister has kindled hope. Delivering on promises is quite a challenge. There are many a slips between the cup and the lips. Imran’s performance and that of his appointed cabinet will tell if charity begins at home. The idea of a welfare state and Pakistan being shaped on the model of governance of the state of Madina is indeed noble.

Optimism and romanticism inspired by the Prime Minister’s speech will persist and last longer if real transformation takes place in the domain of law and order, economic development, financial administration, fiscal policy, human development and the administration of justice. The thing Imran Khan dreams of achieving will be contingent upon a variety of factors, including the character, vision, capacity and capabilities of the Federal Cabinet. In fact it requires developing a new culture and a code of ethics to preside over the technology and methodology of good governance and system of authority, responsibility, accountability, participation and transparency. If Imran Khan’s dharna days’ politics, psychology and the language used on the ‘container’ persist in the parliament, I am afraid, he will not be a true believer of democracy, and not a true leader of the downtrodden people of Pakistan.

Leaders who lead from the front have to mind their language. It would be a negative reflection on Pakistan if democratically elected members of the Parliament tend to negate democratic norms and resort to undermining democracy and democratic mannerisms.

One wonders why Imran Khan had left out mentioning religious extremism, minority rights, the status of women and other issues reflecting negatively on Pakistani society.

South Punjab should be made a better place to live. What good will it do make it into a new separate province? Administrative decentralization is the way to bring about improvements in the standard of living for the people of the region and there is need to improve the system of justice in the area as well

South Punjab should be made a better place to live. What good will it do make it into a new separate province? Administrative decentralization is the way to bring about improvements in the standard of living for the people of the region.

There is need to improve the justice system in South Punjab. There is need to improve the status of women, safeguard their rights and ensure their security. Law enforcement agencies have to do more to ensure the security and honour of people. When it comes to the rights of people and respect towards institutions, all political parties and their supporters should do their best and fulfil their obligations.

It would be utter insanity to use inappropriate words for institutions such as the country’s Parliament. Ridiculing national institutions means ridiculing and undermining your own status. If a politician misuses their status and position, due process must come into action. The Law cannot afford to discriminate against its own citizens. The government has a long agenda of reforms, and for them to be implemented effectively; they need to be prioritized. If, in the first step, the economy improves and brings relief to the people and state, the next step should be to improve governance and thus strengthen institutions and improve their delivery system. The proper approach to implement Imran Khan’s agenda of reforms would be to proceed systematically with deliberately planned change, carefully determining the mission, goals and objectives to be achieved through well-defined roles and responsibilities for all citizens.

Implementing his reform agenda has to be a collective team effort involving all those who can and have to make their contribution to the national cause of uplifting and developing Pakistan. The role of institutions will have to be specified with expected outcomes. Civil servants have to be motivated and appreciated for their performance. This aspect of good governance has been neglected in the past.

The Law cannot afford to discriminate against its own citizens. The government has a long agenda of reforms, and for them to be implemented effectively; they need to be prioritized. If, in the first step, the economy improves and brings relief to the people and state, the next step should be to improve governance and thus strengthen institutions and improve their delivery system

Civil servants are the backbone and the real force behind the performance of a government, especially in the context of cooperation and coordination for effective and focused effort to achieve defined targets and sector-wise achievement. The Politician’s role is to facilitate the development process and take care that undue interference in administration does not result in road blocks and unnecessary tensions.

There has to be a clear line between various political and administrative roles. You can’t hold anyone responsible and accountable without vesting them with the required authority. Powers should be delegated where necessary. Criteria for transparency and accountability have to be determined before holding someone accountable. Those in power should cultivate tasteful behaviours and positive attitudes to enable a culture of high performance and morale which promotes respect among people.

Public policy, good governance and the quality of public service delivery depends on the complex triangular relationship between the citizens of the state, their representatives in government, and the civil bureaucracy. It is for the elected government to visualize the role of the bureaucracy in a democracy that ultimately determines fairness and fair play.

The writer is a former Director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert and an author. His book Post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States

Published in Daily Times, August 31^st 2018.