Governance in Pakistan can be gauged by its underperformance in all of the six indicators put forward by the World Bank, Writes Laraib Nisar.
Good governance is essential for the development of a country as it plays a vital role in uplifting and ameliorating the livelihood, lifestyle and life standard of citizens. Unfortunately, governance in Pakistan has always been way below the mark because of myriad of issues. The interrupted democratic system, lack of accountability, corruption, and absence of rule of law have been major hurdles in the way of good governance in Pakistan. In addition to them, incompetent politicians and bureaucracy, unfair recruitment system, and an absence of accountability across the board have affected the efficient service delivery to the masses.
Pakistan has constantly been underperforming in all six of the governance indicators put forward by the World Bank, including voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory authority, rule of law, and control of corruption. Pakistan’s low ranking globally and in the region is due to the following extensive issues:
Governance in Pakistan & Weak Institutional Set-up
Strong and independent institutions are one of the prerequisites to establish good governance in any country. Good governance will remain a far dream in Pakistan unless institutions are made stronger than individuals. In Pakistan, institutions related to policing and accountability work under severe political pressure and influence of other stronger institutions. The country has witnessed little effort in building institutions on a stable footing right from day one.
The powerful and influential dominate politics, economy, and all departments of life in Pakistan. Institutions working to ensure accountability most often act at the behest of the government rather than on merit. Consequently, bringing the criminals to justice and inquire about the cases of powerful people, especially those part of or linked with the government, becomes impossible.
Dictatorships & Political Instability
Since its inception, Pakistan has remained under the dictatorial rule for more than 34 years leaving little space for political institutions and a democratic system to flourish. After the end of a decade’s long dictatorship, the country witnesses installation of a new political system from scratch. The new political system is dismissed and bulldozed before it gets mature and this vicious circle has been repeating since 1947. Political parties are also used against each other at the behest of those more powerful which has acted as a roadblock on way leading towards good governance.
This instability in the realm of politics undermines the real problems of the masses which need immediate intervention, hence the power tussle between the military and civil authority puts the concerns and benefits of the public on the back burner.
Rampant corruption: The Bane of Good Governance In Pakistan
Corruption is one of the challenges impeding good governance in Pakistan. There is hardly any organization both in the private and public sector that could claim pure merit in its routine business.
The menace of corruption across the institutions and at all levels is resulting in lawlessness and underdevelopment of the nation. Moreover, social issues like unemployment, poverty, societal inequality, institutional backlog etc. are enhanced due to wide-spread corruption. The absence of an impartial and independent accountability system has resulted in the growth of this monster rather than preventing it.
Lack Of Accountability & Transparency
Accountability occupies a key place in the establishment of good governance. Social justice and national development cannot be thought of in the absence of strict accountability of the rulers, office-bearers, and institutions of the state. But it is very hard to find it in Pakistan’s weak institutional setup. This lack of accountability in the higher rungs of national life’s ladder has damaged Pakistan’s whole societal fabric as a general notion has established that it is easy to get away with unfairness and corruption.
Poor law and order situation
Pakistan, unfortunately, has witnessed poor law and order situation for decades. Street crimes, killings, sexual abuse, rape, abduction for ransom, and violation of laws in bright daylight have become a routine. The high rate of these violations has created an air of fear and uncertainty in the country.
Furthermore, extremism, sectarianism, racism, and gender inequality are problems which are adding to the miseries of the people. This sorry state of law and order has kept the investors away from the country negatively impacting the economy of the country, and has also promoted the culture of the rich and competent human capital’s exodus from the country.
Pakistan cannot fulfil its aspirations of future with this plight. Therefore, Pakistan has to take some concrete steps in order to ensure political stability, transparency, fast public service delivery, and responsiveness in its state institutions. For this, it must control the scourge of corruption, abuse of power, unfairness in its institutions by devising a proper mechanism of transparency and accountability.
Some key steps to ensure good governance in the country include indiscriminate participation, equity, and inclusiveness for all citizens, ensuring rule of law by strengthening law enforcement institutions, having a free, independent, and responsible media to highlight incidences of bad governance and call for resolution, enhancing government legitimacy, accountability, and transparency in the country along with limiting the distorting effect of money in politics, which happens to be the root cause of all governance issues in the country.
The author Laraib Nisar is a Defense and Strategic Studies’ graduate, working as a Program Coordinator at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad.
