Daily Times

Quick fixes may not be possible. We need to improve the ailing society and economy. We know political instability, hate politics, greed, selfishness and distasteful behaviours are the road blocks. We need to think how the dream of a prosperous Pakistan can be realised. 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 the country? Human rights violations, bad governance, corruption and crimes of all sorts and politicisation are core issues in sustainable development at global, national and local levels. Leadership, civil and military, is required to look into situations of war and peace, tensions between neighbours, 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 stabilise federal-provincial relationships. We may like to find out real issues behind 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 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 a more effective role in international relations.

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 community level 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 organisations, 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.

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

Pakistan is facing increased environmental threats. The extreme weather conditions in recent days have led to the deaths of a 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 people, 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. All supplies set aside for relief efforts should be distributed effectively and efficiently, targeting those who need them the most. The government and climate experts are fighting an uphill battle against nature, one that is time-intensive and needs out of the box approaches. 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 a major role in such situations.

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 UN Security Council’s permanent members must let go of 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 alleviation in both countries. India, under Modi, is an extremist state having no concern for minorities including Muslims who are terrorised day in and day out.

The writer is former Director National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert, and a published author