Governance has been an enduring concern in Pakistan. This is evident in a number of ways from a precarious law and order situation to serious social deficit and poor infrastructure, a recent report of the Institute of Policy Reforms (IPR) has concluded.
The report, titled Strategy not Tactics: Better Governance for Social Stability in Pakistan, has been authored by Ashraf Hayat, the IPR executive director.
The report says there is no agreed definition of good governance. “Its elements include political stability, absence of violence, effectiveness of the state, delivery of quality services to people, the rule of law and control over corruption. Pakistan seems to be doing poorly on many indices.”
It says civil servants are the link between the state and the citizen. A number of issues affect their performance, it says.
“Political patronage has weakened state institutions. Several centres of power now compete for influence.”
The report says a political economy that favours the elite leaves little space for inclusive development.
“Political parties are weak and the media and civil society are not in a position to act as a check on executive power. At present, Pakistan’s state institutions do not have the strength to become an agent of change and growth.”
Competing institutions
The report says that there is a competition for power among the elite. The competition is for elite privileges and emanates from the fear that one group may dominate the power landscape.
In recent years, it says the dominance of one group over all others has given way to a contest for power among a number of groups. “Individual businesses and their associations seek accommodation with power centres to pursue their interests.”
Reversal of institutions
The report treats the term ‘reversal of institutions’ for weakening the institutions inherited from colonial administration.
In Pakistan, it says that civil servants had cast the first stone to dismantle the structure that the British had created.
“A number of them, not satisfied with their mandarin status, tried to become political leaders. In doing so, they harmed the institutions.”
There civil servants dealt a blow not only to the Executive but also to the rule of law.
The other governance issues mentioned in the report are political economy, devolution, capacity of courts and civil services and corruption.
Recommendations
The report recommends that the country should have civil institutions that help it move towards effective enforcement of laws and rules that are applied uniformly, fairly, and in predictable ways.
The report recommends improving government systems, building capacity of public servants, change their work culture, enhancing policy making skills and processes, strengthening project planning and execution, improving working of the judiciary and sector specific reforms.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ