FAR from projecting an image of confidence and clarity at the top, the indecision coming from PM House makes us believe that the PML-N government doesn’t have a visible game plan. And Nawaz Sharif has been in office long enough — six months — to take the big decisions. Hence the critical delay in appointing officers in key posts is unjustifiable. There are a number of examples of governmental disarray when it comes to decision-making. These include the recent game of musical chairs regarding postings at the Foreign Office. The removal of the Nadra and Pemra chiefs, their court-ordered reinstatement, and the crisis at Pemra with two chairmen at the same time all reflect on the lack of leadership and direction in government ranks. Also, major public-sector organisations such as PIA, the Steel Mills and PTV, among others, are without chief executive officers or managing directors. This is despite the fact that vacancies for these positions were advertised in June. The exercise had given the impression of transparency. Yet most of these organisations are still without heads. What is the delay in appointing officers, especially when the majority of these concerns are in dire straits?
Whether the government wants to privatise the concerns or rehabilitate them, without full-time, capable managers nothing can be achieved. It seems the lack of leadership in Islamabad is having a trickle-down effect on public corporations. This may be explained by Mr Sharif’s highly centralised way of working. There is valid criticism that the prime minister is concentrating power in a few hands and sharing the burden of governance with few other than his family members. But this style of governance is highly problematic and gives the impression that the government is in a state of paralysis. The vacant slots need to be filled without delay. While it has been argued that the government’s decision-making has been affected by the ‘interference’ of the courts, the fact is that if dismissals or transfers have been made through questionable means, the affected individuals have the right to approach the courts. The government must make the required changes, but these must be in accordance with the rules. Perhaps a committee can be formed to swiftly adjudicate on such disputes without affecting the working of government departments.
