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FOUR momentous days in May 2025 will be etched forever in the history of Pakistan. They do not just make us immensely proud but also provide a historic opportunity to redefine our existence. Must we not cherish and capture this ‘born again’ moment as a basis for building a new, reformed and progressive Pakistan? It would be imprudent if we fail to grasp the magnitude and the meaning of these events and are unable to replicate and apply the same principles and techniques to improve all other organisations in Pakistan.
These four days have taught us that nations are not built with cynicism, hatred, irrationality, fluffy speeches, or meaningless self-serving narratives. They are built on vision, professionalism, technology, discipline, learning and skills. They are built on systems and institutions, and not dependent on individuals or clichés. In just one province, we changed 24 inspectors general of police in the last 20 years. But police performance remained the same, as we changed faces but not processes. Our national discourse seems consumed by criticism of corruption and governmental incompetence, yet remains devoid of meaningful, scientific, or professionally grounded organisational reforms.
Our armed forces made us stand tall and proud. They taught us that the tide of history can be turned by professionalism, building robust systems, learning new skills, adopting digital technologies, preferring competence (over relatives), training hard, and demonstrating courage. Must we not ask a fundamental question? Why cannot these qualities be emulated by all ministries, departments, institutions, commissions, bureaus, the police force, railways, Wapda, steel mills, EOBI, FBR, Pakistan Post, schools, hospitals and municipalities in Pakistan? Why do we tolerate dysfunctional and bureaucratic government departments and not push for the adoption of similar standards of excellence and efficiency? Should we not pause, reflect, and seize this moment to demand similar reforms, reconstruction, and world-class performance from every government department in Pakistan?
Here is an unparalleled moment to turn the tide of history and to rise from the ashes of gloom and apathy. Begin by adopting humility, simplicity, and austerity. Stop all expenses on ceremonies, posters, banners, bulletproof cars, helicopter rides, and personal publicity at the taxpayers’ expense. Introduce massive reforms, radically downsize government organisations, adopt integrated digital technology, and shed the culture of photocopies, affidavits and cronyism. Set clear, measurable goals with defined timelines for every department. Use digital technology in all areas, especially in healthcare, education, municipalities, data management, resource tracking, and public service delivery.
The tide of history can be turned by robust systems.
Replace multilayer bureaucratic functions with transparent digital systems to significantly reduce corruption, delays and runarounds of ordinary people. Task every department to eliminate the compulsion of citizens endlessly visiting and waiting in government offices. Enable every citizen to make or receive all government payments through bank or mobile phone transactions. In short, focus on technology, training, merit, reforms, and paperless processes in every institution of the government and every aspect of governance.
The practice of placing friends, relatives and party men, instead of hardcore professionals, as heads of departments in public organisations has turned government departments into a ‘gold diggers’ paradise. Humanity, discipline, duty, ethics, public service, austerity, and digital skills (currently not in vogue) should be emphasised as the sole criteria for elevation of civil servants. While transforming or replacing the majority of our professionally inadequate and digitally deficient bureaucrats (who cannot even respond to an official email) may be a huge challenge, it ought to be undertaken on a priority basis. After all, the first responsibility of a manager is to do no harm; the second is to add value.
Finally, any drive for reform will ring hollow if it fails to uplift our most marginalised communities — the sanitation workers, security guards, coal miners, railway coolies, and factory workers who form the backbone of our society. It’s time we push for equity in our ranks. It is time to dismantle the disproportionate perks, salaries, luxury cars, and pensions of our judges, politicians, and bureaucrats, and give at least the minimum wage and the old-age pension (EOBI) to our unsung ordinary citizens. We are blessed with a unique opportunity. Capture the moment and change Pakistan forever.
The writer is an industrial engineer and a volunteer social activist.
Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2025
