Governance is a mechanism to exercise executive authority. Since, power can be exercised in varying ways; therefore, The World Bank defines governance in the following terms.
“Governance is a manner in which power is exercised in the management of social, political, and economic resources of the country.”
Good Governance lies at the heart of sustainable development, and contributes, in improving overall life standards of the citizens of a country and subsequently, upgrading the international standing of the country. However, it is unfortunate to note that personalities took precedence to Institutions in Pakistan and Ensuring Good Governance has never been a matter of serious deliberations in country.
Since, its inception Pakistan has been embroiled in mounting problems and deepening crises of governance. Those crises not only compounded the problems of a nascent state but also backtracked the discourse of Governance in the country. Faltering economy, rising inflation, deepening inequality are the consequences of those crises. It can be argued that Good Governance a dream gone sour in Pakistan. However, gloom is a useless emotion and every cloud has a silver lining, these problems can be overcome and Good Governance can be ensured through across the board application of rule of law, introducing strict and transparent mechanism of accountability, and empowered framework of institution building.
Culprit factors that contribute to malgovernance in Pakistan
Early bad luck years
The roots of malgovernance not new. In fact roots of it can be traced back from the colonial times. To begin with, when Pakistan shook off the shackles of Colonialism, it inherited the plethora of problems ranging from nonpayment of funds by India, unmanageable refugees influx, from war with India to looming threat from Afghanistan. All these crises diverted the focus of leadership to security from governance and nation building. Consequently, it ended up where we stand today.
Leadership crisis
Early death of Jinnah robbed Pakistan much needed steadying hand at the helm
Aside from it, leadership crisis also contributed to malgovernance in Pakistan. Unlike India, where JawaharLal Nehru worked until 1964, Jinnah Of Pakistan could not live longer to push Pakistan towards the path of prosperity, and could only live a year consequently, it deprived Pakistan a much needed steadying hand at the helm.
Frequent Martial Laws
Under performed civilians has gave an excuse to Military brass to take over and run the country. Every Martial brought with it new challenges for successive governments, ultimately, martial laws also contributed to malgovernance .
Pervasive corruption multiplied the Governance Challenges of the country
Besides, it pervasive corruption has also hurt and haunt the Pakistan’s governance narrative. Every successive government talked a lot walked a little to eradicate Corruption from this country.
Compromised Media danced on the tunes of powerful elite
Moreover, media has never enjoyed its freedom. It has always been divided. Some section of media played its due role seeking Good Governance other section turned a blind eye and deaf ears to genuine issues of people, and danced on the tunes of powerful elite. And proved to an obstacle rather than a tool.
Stride in the right direction be made to ensure Good Governance
Corruption is one of the stumbling blocks in the way of Pakistan to ensure Good Governance. It is a curse that must be ditched if Pakistan is to gain prosperity. Therefore, lawmakers should not only make rules but they should also ensure practicability of those laws. In this way Pakistan can attain the larger than life goal of Good Governance.
Strict, unbiased and impartial mechanism of accountability must be in place to ensure Good Governance
Accountability can be used as a tool not only to ensure good governance but also it helps to improve and upgrade the international standing of the country. Therefore, it is important that accountability should be transparent and across the board it must not smell the Political vendetta or political witch hunting. In this manner country can combat the menace of malgovernance effectively.
Media must play its part in ensuring Good Governance
Media can also be used to spread the information and awareness. It has become ears and eyes of the state. Therefore, it must play its due role in improving the governance in the country and community.
Conclusion
In the light of above discussion it may be argued that governance is a complex issue and it involves more than one stakeholders. Therefore, the Good Governance can only be ensured when every stake holder plays its due role. All these Institutions, pillars and the public of the country sense their responsibility, and play their role to ensure Good Governance. Otherwise, there will be no use of crying over split milk.
