Pakistan's Last Hope of Democracy and Good Governance?

Courtesy: www.bbc.co.uk/news

Finally, General (R) Pervez Musharraf clearly and openly announced that he is coming to Pakistan to regenerate  the culture of democracy and restore hope to the people of Pakistan. He said that he is 200% sure that he is going to participate in the next elections (which may happen sooner rather than later). He further went on to criticize the present government, led by Pakistan Peoples Party, for faking democracy and hence spreading "darkness all over." Musharraf conceded that he is unsure of becoming Pakistan's President once again. But he said that he has a good chance of winning the elections by creating his own party. 

By daring to risk his life by coming back to Pakistan, he once again proved that he is a brave and patriotic leader. He also said that he is ready to face all the fabricated allegations leveled against him in the courts.

Pakistan is faced with a complex multi-dimensional governance crisis of staggering proportions. Matters have grown worse this time. The Pakistani state is malfunctioning. The present government's slide into gross political mismanagement, corruption and indifference is deteriorating its relations with the general masses. In this scenario, Musharraf's come back into the Pakistani political arena through democratic means might receive wide and enthusiastic public support. The change will augur well for the future of Pakistan. This is due to the fact that Pakistan needs a visionary leader for the survival of democracy, continuity of reforms, end to sectarianism and extremism, and to fulfill the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. 

Achieving objectives of good governance requires visionary and status-quo breaking changes in the government system. Musharraf in his lectures has repeatedly expressed his desire to tackle the problems faced by Pakistan in a serious and systematic manner by reforming the economy, the federation and building true democracy by primarily focusing on governance issues. He seemed sincere in tackling the problems which Angelina Jolie highlighted during her recent visit to Pakistan. His coming back to politics in a true democratic spirit would also set a proper and new precedent for the aspiring army generals wanting to steer the ship of the state out of crisis created by the inept and corrupt political leaders.  

Symptoms of Poor Governance

It seems Pakistan’s intellectual cum technocrat society had taken all the responsibility of preaching the so called Good Governance in such a way that even governing principles is considered unaware and intolerable on that features. Almost every day the structure of good governance go under dissection. Some of the salient features of good governance however are mended back to its original place but many remain unattended. Although every person of aesthetic bourgeoisie is well aware about what the terminology “Good Governance” contains with in itself, but the way it is portrayed will either destroy the genesis of governance and if not, than would definitely change the entire constitution of governing principles according to personal agenda

We all know that democracy is based on two core principles; participation and accountability. Therefore, in the light of above observation when there is less or absolutely no democratic prevalence in nation that mean there are leakages or loopholes in governance as well. It means if there is no democracy, there is no governance. Now just imagine, if Pakistan is working under the real democracy then governance is definitely in its good position but what about the criteria when democracy is not in its original position yet governing features are executed and implemented in almost every sphere of politics and economy?

Unfortunately Pakistan’s history of more than six decades is deprived of expeditious execution of accountability and the participation of the people’s mandate by their chosen representatives even after the due share of military dictatorship and democratically elected government.

Whether some one agrees or simply reject, I will say that the complete absentia that the governmental status quo of Pakistan i.e. democracy, good governance, economic affairs as well as social sector is some how incompatible. To give reason in this regard, see how the executive is fighting with the judiciary and media, dealing with army, handling terrorism and flood disaster, managing the economy and foreign relations. The civilian set up is fighting many fronts to be consistent in maintaining the democratic parliamentary system. However, neither the government itself nor the opposition is proceeding according to their mandate.

State power is being used only for the benefit of the ruling elite not protecting the common man. The system of justice has been used to the advantage of the rich and powerful where criminal acts of the elite are accepted phenomena. The misuse of power has been institutionalized by the rise of mafias who gain access to the political system. These mafias use the executive discretion of the political authority in appointments; formulation of public policies; grabbing the state land; disposal of public assets and the purchase of goods and services. Corruption and cheating have become institutionalized and more dangerously are well developed habits

The corrupting and weakening of almost all public service institutions has weakened the public confidence in political structure. Due this large scale alienation of the public has resulted. This alienation has caused cynicism and rejection of the system with serious implications for the future. Participation, ownership transparency and predictability can neither be restored nor ensured as long as alienation prevails.

It needs to be underscored that social state of the society, cultural values and the mindset of the people ultimately determine the acceptance or otherwise of all the reforms and initiatives. If the people are getting poorer and insecure they get even more alienated from the institutions and their managers. Similarly, if the bulk o the population is illiterate, their understanding and confidence in the transparency, predictability and accountability will never be restored.  

To conclude, alienation and cynicism leads to general apathy. Falling rates of participation in the political process is the most important indicator. Corruption does not carry stigma of public shame and any political process is seen as a mere game of the rich and the powerful. All of these symptoms of poor governance can be clearly seen in Pakistan Governance and Civil Society.

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