ISLAMABAD: Challenges facing Pakistan are critical and deep, where almost every sector and institution is struggling for its survival. For a strong democratic Pakistan, all stakeholders must evolve a consensus around a Charter of Governance, which should encompass all sectors including economy, judiciary and civil service etc. For that, the civil society has to stand up and continue to put pressure for radical reforms. This was the crux of experts’ deliberation at a seminar titled New Agenda of Radical Reforms, organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday. Leading police and justice sector reform specialist Dr Shoaib Suddel said that the fundamental rights in the constitution are critically linked with the justice system of the country. He said that without effective and independent police service, there cannot be justice in the society. Unfortunately, there is no single political party that wanted an independent police service. First and foremost, we must ensure merit in the country coupled with a fair and effective government and quality of regulatory regime. Moreover, we should establish a system where accountability can be ensured across the board. Unless we take such critical measures, the real change would be a distant dream. He said that civil service of Pakistan is the backbone of the country. Civil servants have the critical role to reverse the wrongdoings and can still transform the country, he added. Barrister Naseem Ahmed Bajwa, a noted lawyer based in the United Kingdom said that in Pakistan, there is no dearth of talent, as the youth is more talented than the youth of any developed nation. He said that in the west, Union Councils are more empowered to take their own decisions, which is the key to progress. The governance in Pakistan has to be decentralised for prosperity and development, he added. There is dire need of people friendly reforms, because the current system has become exposed and an enemy of the public. “We should strive for shared democracy, which can help the system to transform. We need to change the system not faces to get out of quagmire,” he added. Awami National Party former senator Afrasiab Khattak said that we failed to decolonise our constitution and state. The colonial system was meant to rule over the people instead of empowering them. The people in the colonial era were treated as subjects and not as citizens. Unless we decolonise our constitution and the state, we may not achieve our desired objectives of inclusive society. After 9/11, Pakistan has become a security state which is core to our current challenges. Unless we prioritise and revisit our budget allocations, we cannot bring a positive change, he said adding that our judicial system requires reforms but we always forget to talk about much needed judiciary reforms. He said that it is high time to implement the effective local government system in the country as the third tier of the government. SDPI Advocacy & Outreach Director Muazzam Sharif Bhatti said that amid Pakistan’s governance structures and functioning, civil society, academia and media has a crucial role to mobilize citizens for citizen’s centric reforms in governance. Senior journalist Murtaza Solangi said that the incumbent government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf must measure up to the expectations of the people of Pakistan as envisaged in their party’s manifesto. He said that the government should bring reforms in media and must transform Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television on the model of British Broadcasting Corporation, as promised in their party’s manifesto. Published in Daily Times, October 23rd 2018.