ISLAMABAD:Acknowledging that the challenges faced by Pakistan are deep rooted, experts at a seminar called for all stakeholders to evolve consensus around a charter of governance.

Participants of a seminar titled New Agenda of Radical Reforms, hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute on Monday said the charter of governance should encompass all sectors including economy, judiciary and civil service etc.

“Fundamental rights in the Constitution are linked with the justice system,” said Dr Shoaib Suddle, a leading police and justice sector reform specialist, adding that without an effective and independent police service, there cannot be justice in society.

“Unfortunately, there is not a single political party that wants an independent police service,” he said.

“We must first ensure merit in the country, coupled with a fair and effective government and a quality regulatory regime,” he added.

Dr Suddle said there is need for establishing a system where accountability can be ensured across the board and that unless such critical measures are taken, real change will only be a distant dream.

The civil service is the backbone of the country and civil servants have a critical role in reversing wrongdoings, he said.

A different point of view was presented by former Senator Afrasiab Khattak who criticised bureaucratic influence as a remnant of the colonial era.

“We failed to decolonise our Constitution and state. The colonial system was meant to rule over people instead of empowering them,” he said.

The former senator said people were treated as subjects in the colonial era and not as citizens and that there was a whole class for implanting wishes of the rulers.

“Unless we decolonise our Constitution and the state, we may not achieve our desired objectives of an inclusive society,” Mr Khattak said.

He added that after 9/11, Pakistan had become a security state which is central to the current challenges faced by the country.

“We cannot bring positive change till we prioritise and revisit our budget allocations,” he said, and that the judicial system also needs reforms.

“But we always forget to talk about the much needed judiciary reforms,” he quipped.

He stressed on an effective local government system as a third tier of the government.

Similar views were expressed by UK-based Barrister Naseem Ahmed Bajwa who said union councils are empowered to make their own decisions in the West, which he said is key to progress.

“Governance in Pakistan has to be decentralised for prosperity and development,” he added.

He stressed on the need for people-friendly reforms and said the current system is not that.

“We should strive for a shared democracy which can help change the system,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2018

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