Inclusive bureaucracy
It is heartening and encouraging to see a female belonging to a minority group being appointed as assistant commissioner — in Hassanabdal city of Punjab’s Attock district. Hailing from the small town of Chak in Shikarpur, Sindh, 27-year-old Dr Sana Ramchand Gulwani, a member of the Hindu community, has not only managed to fulfil her parents’ wishes of becoming a medical professional — by completing her MBBS degree — but has also been successful in pursuing her own dream of serving for her country after passing the CSS exam. Pakistan needs more representation across the board from females and minorities alike, and such success stories are necessary to motivate people from underprivileged or marginalised backgrounds.
In developing countries, bureaucracy is considered as the engine of growth and the agent of change. It not just helps promote political stability but also the standard of living. Of late, the bureaucratic system has now opened up and become more inclusive to people from all walks of life, but historically this has never been the case. Nepotism, corruption and unequal quota systems have long governed the realm of bureaucracy in Pakistan and certain groups have deliberately been restricted from moving forward. Pakistan has been reeling with a crisis of governance. It is because of the authoritative and elite status of bureaucrats that there is a severe inability to promote welfare, development and equity and provide justice to the citizens.
If bureaucracy is to flourish and Pakistan is to strengthen its backbone, then such forms of systemic oppression must end. The mindset that only a Muslim can truly be sincere to serve Pakistan needs to be replaced with a more inclusive and tolerant mindset. In fact, those who have experienced the harsh realities of life can better empathise with the people and work to improve the situation through innovative policy implementation strategies. We hope that Dr Sana will do wonders and motivate others.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2023.
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