Daily Times

The real focus should be on building and strengthening institutions. Positivity always helps in achieving goals and objectives. The motto for the new political set-up under Imran Khan’s leadership should be, do the right thing and do things right. Rethink, reform restructure to achieve what could satisfy the people’s needs and their aspirations.

The parliament has to act and perform its role effectively and efficiently. The mother of democratic institutions has to prove itself capable of correcting all wrongs. Failure of institutions should not be seen as a failure of the state. Justice delivered could be blind. But judges can see and feel the need for justice to be delivered. This particular scenario is being expected and appreciated by the people who know what analytical undertone and style mean for the current situation in Pakistan. The crux of the matter is that parliament of the country has to prove its capabilities, strengths, potential, and credibility.

We the people have to keep a watch on the parliament and its working so as to help strengthen its operations and enable this important institution to deliver more smartly, effectively and objectively, as per the requirements of the constitution.

There is an urgent need to discourage an attitude of contempt against the parliament, and to proceed against those who behave in a disgraceful manner. It is important to condemn such negativity. And to make sure that such actors and characters are singled out and marked ‘not to be elected’ to represent the people.

Distasteful behaviour and negative attitude should be condition enough to keep such people out of parliament, and for that matter any institution that represents the people and the will of the people. Undesirable elements have to be therefore disqualified and not allowed to participate in the electoral process. It is for the Election Commission of Pakistan to make unbiased decisions in this context. Otherwise, the process will neither be just nor be based on merit.

Fair and free elections have to satisfy the requirements of merit, objectivity, good personal character and performance and positive image of the candidate for any constituency.

Everyone has a role and responsibility. The basic problem is role-conflict and overstepping jurisdiction. The focus has to be on the capabilities and capacity to deliver. As it is, tasteful behaviour is nowhere in sight. Mending behaviours and following required discipline is of vital importance. Introspection is needed for parliamentarians to improve and establish their merit and capabilities, if any, to serve the state and its people.

Democracy gives the right to elect representatives to manage the affairs of the state. Once people have exercised their role and the right to vote they should let the elected representatives do their job. It is not for the people to interfere. Image of the state and that of its institutions depends on how all actors conduct themselves.

It is important that government bureaucracy should be allowed to operate without interference and without politicisation. If the Prime Minister understands the role of an effective bureaucracy, he would keep a check on members of his cabinet and advisory bodies. Moreover, it is also important to know that the complete neutrality of bureaucracy is out of the question. In the interest of good governance, the Prime Minister needs to practice principles of Human Resource Development and Human Resource Management. A knee-jerk approach in management does not work. Imran Khan will need to take good care of civil servants; the product of meritocracy- if he wants the successful implementation of his reforms agenda. Hence the importance of diplomacy for effective management free of tension. Nobody should be allowed take law in his/her own hands as that would be uncivilised and would hinder the process towards justice.

Undesirable elements have to be therefore disqualified and not allowed to participate in the electoral process. It is for the Election Commission of Pakistan to make unbiased decisions in this context. Otherwise, the process will neither be just nor be based on merit

This needs to be fully apprehended by all quarters irrespective of their ranks and level in the society. Significance of the rule of law has to be fully understood. Enough is enough. I hope the current parliament will behave differently than the previous one.

Diplomacy has no frontiers. It is useful in domestic as well as external relations of countries.

Diplomacy is an instrument to be regularly calibrated and adjusted to the rule of the situation. Experiences are not always useful in a rapidly changing scenario. Established principles of managing affairs may provide good guidance. But the newly developing situation requires fine analytical and communication skills, the ability to convince and influence others, in the broader context of impression management.

Always talk of problems and issues, not so much of persons and personalities. The ultimate aim is to resolve issues and solve problems. Remember, handling crisis situations is an attitude that needs to be developed and respected. So, stay cool. Stay on the road to reason. It is not wise to ignore the issue and root causes and not to talk about the real issues. This advice may look difficult to follow, but it is a challenge anyway. It is time for Prime Minister, Imran Khan, to provide input on how to do things beyond what the previous governments were able to contribute and achieve. Pakistan has been great in the past. However, we would like to see this country of ours achieve greater heights.

On the way to peace and progress, we can rely on our own efforts and resources and internal unity. We need to assure our people of development that is paved with good intentions. Peace and Socio-economic development are interlinked. Both are possible in an environment of effective law enforcement, accountability, transparency and a society free of street crime. Law enforcement can bring positive change. We need to rethink and think again of the consequences of what we plan to do in any capacity. Life for the common citizen needs to be made less expensive and more free of hazards.

The writer is a former Director, National institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert and the author of ‘Post 9/11 Pakistan’

Published in Daily Times, September 19^th 2018.