Today’s civil bureaucracy with few exceptions is corrupt to the core
LARKANA: This is in response to Hasaan Khawar’s article titled ‘NAB and civil servants’ accountability’ published on February 27th. I beg to differ with its content as on the basis of apprehension of Ahad Cheema; Mr Hasaan has floated the idea of giving constitutional cover to civil bureaucracy given their responsibility of undertaking mega projects worth billions.
However, in an election-based democracy even the chief executive has no immunity from accountability, then how can a civil bureaucracy be given constitutional protection? In fact, Article 4 of the Constitution deals with the conduct of public functionaries and government officers. According to this article, every public officer is supposed to discharge his duties without fear, favour and nepotism within reasonable time, with highest level of dedication, commitment, integrity, transparency and fairness at his command.
Any transgression or infraction of law by civil servants is open to judicial review by courts, which sit as auditors of legality over such decisions. Neither does accountability undermines professional potentialities nor does it prevents civil servants from performing their duty with due diligence. Hence, holding someone accountable for his actions cannot be and should not be seen as harassment and demoralisation of officers and obstruction in execution of projects.
Today’s civil bureaucracy with few exceptions is corrupt to the core. This is the reason why, with a change of governments whether federal or provincial, we see an extraordinary reshuffling of civil bureaucracy.
Until that is fixed, no solution will be sustainable.
Nazeer Ahmed Arijo
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2018.
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