GOOD governance in any country requires clear objectives and a commitment to serving the nation, rather than just ruling. Those who govern must learn to listen. The overriding goals of good governance are to ensure the security, stability, and solidarity of the country, as well as the life and liberty of its citizens. In the modern era, a good politician must also be a good economist. Poor governance can lead to the disintegration of a country, as seen in the East Pakistan tragedy and the recent financial crisis that brought us to the brink of bankruptcy. Sometimes, even well-intentioned welfare projects fail and receive negative responses, as witnessed in the mismanagement of the flood relief program in Sindh, the Free Atta Scheme in Punjab, the release of terrorists from KP jails, and the establishment of lungars and shelters, making it seem as if Pakistan is a refugee camp.
Parliamentarians often take over the government with insufficient knowledge of governance and administration. To counter this, experienced bureaucracy is available, and politicians should learn to use it effectively to achieve good governance. The government relies heavily on the Administrative Services group. Rational approaches must be adopted across all civil service groups.
Politicians frequently demand the creation of new subdivisions and districts without considering their financial implications. In practice, the Administrative Services group seems to have failed to control the lowest levels of the revenue department, known as Patwaris, as well as issues like smuggling, black marketing, hoarding, and the distribution of the Free Atta Scheme. Additionally, the implementation of the National Action Plan, crucial for combating terrorism, has been inadequate. Efforts to return illegal Afghan immigrants are also of paramount importance.
To address the issue of red tape in civil service, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been established. Foreign investors are reluctant to engage with our bureaucracy for several reasons. Character, morality, merit, and ideology are instilled in academic institutions. The last Speaker of United Pakistan, Fazal-ul-Qadir Chaudhry from East Pakistan, was questioned at the airport about the disintegration of East Pakistan. He replied that students built Pakistan, and now they have dismantled it.
The 18th Amendment failed to protect the vital element of integration— the education system. It disrupted the educational structure at the federal level, eliminating a cohesive education policy, national curriculum, higher education policy, and foreign training coordination. This issue should be reviewed to ensure educational unity, as civil service selection is conducted at the national level. Provinces are now devising their own education policies and curricula, disregarding national solidarity.
Another issue affecting the fiscal system is the tendency for unwise and hasty decisions, such as embarking on welfare projects without adequate planning. In the 2023-24 budget, the Finance Minister announced a salary increase of up to 35%, a decision made without pressing demand or financial capability. The next day, the same Minister dismantled the pension system, failing to consider the future implications for retiring civil servants.
If the government is sincere about public welfare, it should refrain from increasing parliamentary privileges, immediately cancel detrimental IPP agreements, and discontinue the massive amounts allocated to Special Development Projects (SDPs) for parliamentarians. To boost exports, the industrial sector should not be burdened by high bank rates and expensive electricity, which hinder international competitiveness. Additionally, the filer system should be simplified to allow direct deposits without Income Tax department interference, with bank receipts serving as filer certificates. The CBR should announce categories specifying deposit amounts for each category. Lastly, the number of national flags should be reduced.
Excessive publicity and protocol efforts are also problematic. Once, a high-level Indian delegation traveling via Chakothi was surprised by numerous banners of unknown PPP faces. A political personality from Sindh with no official position once arrived with an entourage of 38 vehicles, displacing IBCC members from guest houses. Institutions like MBBS Medical College Mirpur, named after Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) are emblematic of unnecessary glorification. BISP’s budget and infrastructure could be better utilized for bank loans, as cash distribution leads to corruption and beggary. Existing funds from Zakat, Bait-ul-Mal and charitable NGOs should suffice for the needy.
The current Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, is dedicated to improving Punjab’s future. She should avoid excessive publicity and let actions speak louder than words. Cash distribution and perishable commodity supply should be avoided, but awards and incentives for excellence should continue. Efforts should focus on saving every drop of rainwater, building reservoirs for anticipated droughts and sponsoring small lakes. The government should promote early business openings, penalize defaulters, and encourage energy savings.
—The writer is Retired Additional Chief Secretary and Advocate Supreme Court of AJK.
