Administrative setup is designed in such a way that civil servants are ultimately subservient to a higher authority
DAHARKI: The police force in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, has become a mere instrument in the hands of politicians for the gratification of their illegitimate whims. The fate of a police officer solely depends on his willingness towards servitude and capitulation in front of influential leaders rather than his attitude towards the state or the law. If an officer possessing strong willpower and conscientiousness decides to abide by the law and follow his moral principles, it will lead to his professional demise as there seems to be no room for such people in these authoritative institutions.
On the other hand, the administrative setup is designed in such a way that civil servants are ultimately subservient to a higher authority. Therefore, the debate of the politicisation of bureaucracy is pointless unless the very foundations of our democracy are changed. Civil servants that are elevated to a position where they have some form of authority need to make decisions with the confidence that they are acting in the interest of the public. Their inability to take such decisions shows either incompetence or ill intent.
The only way of ensuring healthy administrative and bureaucratic systems is by making sure that these institutions follow a merit-based approach while keeping transparent.
Sanaullah Mirani
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2020.
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