PAKISTAN became a republic in 1956. ‘Republic’ connotes public and it’s the only ingredient missing in Pakistan.

Whether it’s policy making, voting or initiating mega projects, the ‘public’ is missing at large to the great benefit of unelected officials whom we call ‘bureaucrats’. It is time we revised the 1973 constitution and turned it into a presidential form instead of the parliamentary form we have been following. This way both the executive and the legislature will be elected through a direct vote.

This could obstruct the unbridled executive power in Pakistan and open up new vistas of accountability. Pakistan will then not need joint investigation teams to ascertain the truth.

Sajjad H. Channar

Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017