Is there good governance?

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The question of whether "good governance" exists often provokes considerable debate among experts and practitioners. At its core, good governance entails efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, adherence to the rule of law, elimination of corruption, and optimal utilisation of resources. Analysts further emphasise that quick and informed decision-making is vital for achieving organisational objectives, ensuring a streamlined and ethical bureaucracy.

Various international organisations define good governance through eight critical characteristics: participation, consensus orientation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, equity, inclusivity and adherence to the rule of law. These principles not only aim to address present societal needs but also cater to future demands, ensuring that minority voices and vulnerable groups are heard in decision-making processes.

Good governance is deeply intertwined with human rights, focusing on how public institutions conduct affairs, manage resources and ensure rights realisation. Essential components include an independent judiciary, access to justice, adherence to due process and safeguarding political freedoms. The pillars of good governance - democratic institutions, public service delivery, rule of law, anti-corruption measures and overall quality of life - are prerequisites for societal progress.

An important metric for assessing good governance is sustainable development, which aligns closely with human well-being. The UN SDGs provide a comprehensive framework to measure this. These 17 goals - ranging from eradicating poverty and hunger to ensuring quality education, gender equality and climate action - are interlinked, making Goal 16 particularly pivotal. Titled 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions', Goal 16 aims to promote inclusive societies, access to justice and effective, accountable institutions. Achieving these objectives, however, remains a daunting challenge.

Despite the ideals of good governance, the harsh reality is that it often appears to be an unattainable aspiration. In Pakistan, for instance, there are significant shortcomings across all governance dimensions. Experts suggest conducting independent case studies in critical sectors like police, revenue, health and education to assess performance levels objectively.

The functionality of states is determined by their ability to deliver essential political goods, which include security, justice and social services. The state's primary role is to provide security - preventing external and internal threats, ensuring justice and maintaining social order. Unfortunately, many states, including Pakistan, struggle with these responsibilities, often falling into categories of weak or failing states.

The World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index evaluates governance through eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice. Pakistan's ranking on this index is alarmingly low, at 129 globally in 2024. The ability to effectively law against violence is also a grey area. Resultantly, 'no-go areas' exist in all parts of the country, where the vacuum has been filled by armed non-state actors.

These challenges are compounded by poor socio-economic indicators. For instance, stunting affects 38% of children under five, and maternal mortality remains high at 186 deaths per 100,000 live births. Education is another crisis area, with over 25 million children out of school, 53% of whom are girls. Pakistan's ranking on the Sustainable Development Goals Index is 137 out of 167 countries, reflecting significant regression in critical areas like quality education (Goal 4), sustainable cities (Goal 11) and peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16).

While some progress has been noted in goals like poverty reduction (Goal 1), affordable and clean energy (Goal 7) and innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9), these improvements remain limited and fraught with challenges. Significant setbacks persist in areas such as zero hunger (Goal 2), health and well-being (Goal 3), gender equality (Goal 5), clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8) and climate action (Goal 13)

Pakistan's economic performance has also been dismal, with a GDP growth of just 2.38% in FY24, following a contraction in the previous fiscal year. The poverty rate has risen to 40.5%, with an estimated 2.6 million more people falling below the poverty line in 2024. Employment indicators remain stagnant, with falling real wages in sectors like construction, trade and transportation. High inflation and fiscal consolidation have further compounded the situation, leaving little room for poverty alleviation or economic improvement.

Pakistan's judicial system also faces considerable strain. The Supreme Court has over 60,000 pending cases, with High Courts reflecting a net increase in their case backlog in 2024. Such inefficiencies highlight systemic weaknesses that undermine public confidence in the justice system, a crucial component of good governance.

Critical constraints - such as recurrent fiscal deficits, protectionist trade policies, inefficient agriculture, an overregulated business environment and an unsustainable energy sector - remain unaddressed. These structural weaknesses lead to slow and volatile growth, further exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Despite some progress, Pakistan continues to grapple with fundamental governance failures. For instance, according to the World Justice Project, Pakistan ranks poorly in various governance dimensions - Constraints on government power 103/142; Absence of corruption 120/142; Open government 106/142; fundamental rights 125/142; Order and security 140/142; Regulatory enforcement 127/142; Civil justice 128/142; Criminal justice 98/142.

These rankings reveal a dire need for reform in governance structures and public institutions.

Can good governance truly be achieved? The concept may seem idealistic, but it is essential for societal progress. Functional specialisation, institutional reforms and inclusive policy-making are crucial for addressing the governance deficit. States that prioritise accountability, rule of law and citizen welfare can progress toward sustainable development and improved quality of life for their people.

Pakistan's challenges are immense, but they are not insurmountable. The state must focus on building effective institutions, fostering inclusivity and addressing systemic inefficiencies. Strengthening democratic processes, reducing the dominance of elite power structures and emphasising economic reforms are critical steps toward ensuring good governance.