Unfortunately, the people in power now cannot see beyond personal interests
ISLAMABAD: I remember that this country used to have very good bureaucrats, technocrats, judges, jurists, among others, just after its genesis. They used to understand institutional authority. They used to acquire the requisite personal traits and professional skills as to command respect, function effectively and meet organisational expectations but it is not the case nowadays. Nepotism, cronyism, adhocism and lobbyism have played havoc with the organisational efficiency and effectiveness of various public sector organisations in the country.
I once had the opportunity to ask the late Agha Shahi a question regarding the work ethics of erstwhile Indian civil servants and even some civil servants in Pakistan. He responded saying they used to serve the mission of the organisation with a special sort of commitment, educational credibility, and intellectual rigour with institutional and professional responsibility. They used to monitor intra-and inter-departmental file movements and intervene when any officer or official was taking it too easy. They used to rein in slackers and lethargic officers. They used to be trained to think and act in terms of humanity, not on ethnicity, region and sect.
Unfortunately, the people in power now cannot see beyond personal interests. They receive follow-up reports only in matters where their personal interests lie. Otherwise, they never bother to provide follow-up with their words, orders and directives.
Our capacity-building institutions and academies must sensitise our bureaucrats, technocrats, judges, and others about their professional obligations, instead of dull and drab, and uninspiring ‘cut and paste’ lectures in the classroom. Above all, they should be held responsible for violating public trust, an explicit or implicit covenant that hires them as contributors to the public good.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2016.
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