BUREAUCRATS receive exorbitant salaries and countless facilities from the national exchequer only because they are entrusted with the responsibility of running the affairs of the state and to ensure that the mechanism functions smoothly.

It is unfortunate that there are times when, instead of performing their duties, the bureaucrats use their influence and authority to create hurdles in the execution of projects or schemes by inventing new procedures and making the existing ones even more tedious.

Rules and laws are there to lay down a guide so the system’s workings don’t clash or run parallel to each other. However, when these rules are applied mindlessly and without understanding their true purpose, their execution becomes an exercise in futility.

A large number of bureaucrats fail to interpret the laws in a pragmatic and logical fashion, reflecting a lack of analytical skills, professionalism and adequate training for working in government positions. Their attitude has a negative impact on the system which then struggles to deliver.

The bureaucracy should bring some changes within, so that the laws and rules may actually get implemented for the good of the people rather than for creating hurdles in the way of easily achievable progress. With great authority also comes great responsibility, and the bureaucrats must be cognisant of it.

Ali Raza Shah Gillani
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2022