Daily Times

Quick fix may not be possible. We need to improve ailing society and economy. We know, political instability, hate politics, greed, selfishness and distasteful behaviors are the road blocks.We need to ponder, how could dream of prosperous Pakistan be actualized? How could we achieve soft image of Pakistan? How could conflicts be prevented? How could we tackle the issues of unprogressive mindsets of the masses and intolerance for social diversity, and challenges confronting Pakistan. Human rights violations, bad governance, corruption and crimes of all sorts and politicization are core issues in sustainable development at global, national and local level. Leadership, civil and military, is required to look into situations of war and peace, tensions between neighbors, issues of poverty, discrimination or inequalities, inaccessible education, health, housing, employment and other such opportunities. An important question for lawmakers is to strengthen national institutions, to stabilize the federal-provincial relationships. We may like to find out real issues of the displeasure of a provincial government with the federation. Is there the situation of persistently self-perpetuating political and economic reasons or it is politically motivated bogey engineered and launched by the wily politicians to add to their political power and influence. Wide-ranging reforms in social and political as well as economic domains and public administration can enable us to devise policies and strategies and effective principles of management. Our response has to be to the new normal in governing of men, and playing more effective role in international relations.

The government and climate experts are fighting an uphill battle against nature, one that is time-intensive and need out of the box approach to counter the many natural calamities that will soon regularly take place because of the rapidity of degrading environment and climate change

The local communities are the foundation of society and its superstructure. They evaluate the modern and the old ways, norms to be considered at particular points in time. We the people are important in approving the most desired ways to follow. It is at local communities levels that democratic debates take place and decisions are made. Politicians, civil servants and others exercising power, must not forget to listen to the people at these levels. Political parties must ask themselves if they have failed and not been able to modernise, and see that the unruly and populist groups are not source of problems for the government and the people. Crowd behavior is not conducive for developing democratic welfare forms of governance. Efforts are needed for gender equality, improved work conditions and a broadened democracy. In a modern state, trust in political parties, other multiple complex of organizations, and government in power is essential. Also trust in the civil service is of vital significance. Civil service should be politically neutral, fair, competent and knowledgeable, free of corruption. Trust-deficit in the government in power, and the civil service is not a way forward. The need is for change and sustainable development which is not possible if status quo’ prevails. Change is important to bring benefits of welfare measures of the government to the needy, the poor and hapless. Remember that the government sector is there to serve the ordinary people. The government is therefore expected to gear up, and act smart and efficient, to be in the service of the people.

Pakistan is facing increased environment threats. The extreme weather conditions in recent days have led to the deaths of significant number of people so far, with large number of casualties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In the past, large-scale natural disasters like floods and earthquakes posed a significant danger to life and property. But now, even routine weather events such as rain or snowfall in the winter have become threatening to the lives of inhabitants, particularly in areas which see harsher weather conditions at some point in the year. Northern areas in Pakistan will see seismic changes in the years to come and suffer from the effect of episodes of glacial melts, avalanches, blizzards and many other potentially hazardous types of natural disasters. The government has begun relief efforts. The Prime Minister visited AJK to condole with the families of victims, but there is a little move the start can do immediately. All supplies set aside for relief efforts should be distributed effectively and efficiently, targeting those who need it most. The government and climate experts are fighting an uphill battle against nature, one that is time-intensive and need out of the box approach to counter the many natural calamities that will soon regularly take place because of the rapidity of degrading environment and climate change. Disaster management steps are necessary to equip local communities to be ready to face the challenge of increasing environment threats. We should have trust in our local communities. People need protection against threats of physical as well as social environment. The government is expected to play major role in such situations. However, organized communities can also be of significant assistance and therefore the same need to be developed and made effective as agents of public welfare works.

Tensions between India and Pakistan continue to add to worries of our people. Unable to take action and effective measures against Modi’s India will mean the United Nations (UN) has failed to perform its principal responsibility: saving the future generations from the scourge of wars. The U.N. Security Council’s permanent members not let go off their narrow interests for once to stop India from its illegal actions in Kashmir and heightened aggressiveness against Pakistan. Pakistan must continue to present the case of Kashmir on every forum. Modi’s aggressive policies and Pakistan’s powerful advocacy has made Kashmir once again a matter of international concern. India’s hate policy and state terrorism limits Pakistan’s role in internal relations. It negatively affects the efforts for socio-economic development and poverty eluviation in both countries. India, under Modi, is an extremist state having no concern for minorities including Muslims who are terrorized day in and day out.

The writer is former Director National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA)