Assignment of public administration

Research article: The Issues and Challenges to the Governance: A

Case Study of Pakistan
Submitted to: Mam Kanza Iqbal
Submitted by: Tauseef (17)
Huzaifa (29)
ABSTRACT:
Good governance is necessary for human development and poverty elimination as it
forms a well-functioning public sector that follows the standards of transparency,
participation, ownership and accountability to civilians. It forms the transparent and
accountable administration of public resources that decrease corruption and ensure
that public resources are utilized for the benefit of all citizens in recognition of their
fundamental rights. Good governance facilitates an understanding of civil, cultural,
economic, social and political rights while holding leaders to account. Hence, good
governance and human development are interlinked. This paper defines the concept of
good governance. It illustrates the elements necessary for good governance and
identifies the problems of good governance in Pakistan. This paper demonstrates that
bad governance in Pakistan has created lawlessness, social, economic and political
failure. This paper concludes with suggestions to overcome the problems of bad
governance in Pakistan.
Keywords: Accountability, Challenges, Corruption, Good Governance, Human
Development

INTRODUCTION:
The forefathers of Pakistan established Pakistan for the purpose of providing open
and free environment to its people in which they could pursue their social, economic,
political and religious activities freely. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s
speeches were guidance to the state machinery in which he stressed on improving the
lives of common people. He clearly termed good governance is the only tool through
which Pakistan can settle all its monumental problems. Successive political leaders
tried their best to fill the aspirations of Quaid, but they could not succeed in it due to
their political immaturity, and weak socio-economic condition of the country. Still,
even today, the plight of governance in Pakistan is the same. That is why; Pakistan is
unable to become a socially progressed, culturally developed, economically boosted,
and politically matured country. There are many reasons behind this failure to
maintain good governance. Absence of rule of law, across the board accountability,
responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency in state institutions are glaring reasons of
bad governance. In addition to them, political instability, economic crisis, social
degradation, and lack of political participation increase the woes of governance crisis.
It is certain that in absence of good governance, Pakistan cannot integrate into the
international economy, and cannot drive its poor people out of poverty. Even, these
conditions will lead it toward chaos and instability. Now, Pakistan is at the crossroads.
It needs to bring reforms in its institutional structures, especially in financial and
justice department. Political devolution at local level is prerequisite of those reforms.
If Pakistan acts timely on reforms and enforce them as soon as possible. It will be able
to get its desired position among nations of the world.

Governance simply implies the process of governing or the manner and actions of
governing of an organization or a state. Talking about the general sense of the phrase
of ‘good governance’, according to the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) good governance is a process encouraging “staff incentives, training of civil
servants, administrative and fiscal decentralization and dialogue between
governments and civil society”. Etounge Manguella over good governance is of the
view that, “Good governance implies presence of rule of law, safeguard of human
rights, and existence of honest and efficient government, accountability, transparency,
predictability and openness”. Over the abovementioned issue, Michael Johnston is of
the opinion, “Good governance is a competent management of a country’s resources
and affairs in a manner that is open, transparent, accountable, equitable and
responsive to people’s needs.” Good governance is thought to be a constructive,
positive and practical element of sustainable development. Governance is a vast term
and deals with a range of activities from ensuring the security of life and property of
the people which is a government’s primary duty to provision of basic facilities, such
as health and education and people’s participation in policy-making, strengthening
democratic institutions and values.
In an October 1995 policy paper called “Governance: Sound Development
Management”, the AsDB outlined its policy on this topic. Good governance is defined
as “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s
economic and social resources for development”
Focusing on the particular problem, the Good governance Indicators of Governance
in Pakistan present a very dull and unsatisfactory picture, though, Government is not
entirely responsible for this. Good governance does not exist on one-way process; it
demands active participation of society as well. Societal and public participation can
be made in by various ways in the political, social and economic aspects of
governance. In modern democracies, the worlds’ constitutions in general and the
Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, in particular, guarantee a
participatory culture, but unfortunately, it could not evolve in Pakistan. Perhaps the
root causes of this may be found in the fact that the both civil and military regimes
since independence, have curtailed civil, political and cultural rights of the masses
which led or badly affected the process of governance in Pakistan. In this modern era,
good governance and human rights are mutually interlinked with each other and
enforceable simultaneously.
Despite the maximum number of legislative reforms by the last government,
governance still poses a big challenge for both the bureaucracy and politicians. There
are number of studies which indicate the weaknesses in tax policy and administration,
as Pakistan’s most serious challenges. After the 18th Amendment in the Constitution
of Pakistan, provinces are given more autonomy, devolving the main responsibility
for the delivery of education, health, water and sanitation, roads and transport, and
agriculture services. This functional devolution naturally accompanied by remarkable
political, fiscal and administrative changes at provincial and national levels.5 Despite
all this, administrative decentralization remains the most contentious area, which still
follows the path of pre-partition era. Provinces are more autonomous in recruiting
junior level staff, whereas, federal (central) services still remain under the umbrella of
Central Superior Services (CSS).

DIMENSIONS OF GOVERNANCE:
It is explained that governance has three dimensions: economic, political and
administrative. Economic governance includes the decision-making processes that
affect a country’s economic activities and its relationships with other economies.
Political governance is the process of decision making to formulate policy.
Administrative governance is the system of policy implementation. Encompassing all
three, good governance defines the processes and structures that guide political and
socio-economic relationships. Governance includes the state but transcends it by
taking in the private sector and civil society, all of which are critical in sustaining
human development. The institutions of governance in the state, civil society and the
private sector must be designed to contribute to this sustainable human development
 by establishing the political, legal, economic and social circumstances for poverty
reduction, job creation, environmental protection and the advancement of women.
ELEMENTS:
Good governance comprises the existence of effective mechanisms, processes and
institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their
legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences. It’s essential
characteristics are:
1. Participation:
All men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or
through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests. Such broad
participation is built on freedom of association and speech, as well as on the capacity
to participate constructively.
2. Rule of law:
Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially, particularly the laws on
human rights.
3. Transparency:
This concept is built on the free flow of information. Processes, institutions and
information should be directly accessible to those concerned, and enough information
should be provided to render them understandable and monitor able.
4. Responsiveness:
Institutions and processes should serve all stakeholders.
5. Consensus orientation:
Good governance should mediate differing interests in order to reach broad
consensus on the best interests of the group and, where possible, on policies and
procedures.
6. Equity:
All men and women should have equal opportunity to maintain or improve their well-
being.
7. Effectiveness and efficiency: Processes and institutions should produce results that
meet needs while making the best use of resources.
8. Accountability:
Decision-makers in government, the private sector and civil-society organizations
should be accountable to the public as well as to institutional stakeholders. This
 accountability differs depending on the organization and whether the decision is
internal or external to an organization.
9. Strategic vision:
Leaders and the public should have a broad and long-term perspective on good
governance and human development, together with a sense of what is needed for such
development. There should also be an understanding of the historical, cultural and
social complexities in that perspective is grounded.

CAUSES OF BAD GOVERNANCE:

 Ruling class:
From the birth of Pakistan, ruling class is the name of an alliance between landlords
and the bourgeoning industrial class having support of state institutions including
security institution and civil bureaucracy. The nature of the ruling elite depends upon
economic growth process that brought affluence to the few at the expense of the
many. However, gradual erosion of social infrastructure, pervasive poverty and
growing social and economic inequality weakened the social values, faded the
strength of civil society and resulted extremism to militarization.

 Poverty:

Economic growth has been associated with poverty, and in some areas growing
poverty whereas the literacy rate is lowest having poor standard of education. A major
segment of the Pakistani society perceives that there is nothing in this growth process
for them, therefore, this factor resulted resurgence of ethnic, religious and regional
groups that are using the deprived section of society against government and state
institutions with the backing of regional and international actors to achieve their own
ulterior motives. This polarization is heightening the violence and disappointment for
society when they were exploited by the miscreants on the basis of ethnic, religious
and regional deprivation, backwardness, unemployment, bad governance, oppression
of state functionaries and their corrupt practices, poverty and poor social services. The
corrupt ruling elite take the benefit of said social disorder and violence to pressurize
the state intuitions to give them indemnity against accountability process on the name
of national interest to maintain the security, law and order.

 Rapid urbanization:
The rapid urbanization rate is another issue of governance. The current trend of
urbanization will enlarge the cities or municipalities areas more than two times over
the last decade. Therefore, the cost of providing basic services in big cities, and the
financial squeeze on government, a growing proportion of the urban population are
causing hurdles to furnish minimum civic services. Even the percentage of urban
population living in Guttersnipes (Katchi Abadis) is increasing day by day and
situation of urban areas is alarming because of visible social stress and associated
violence that is causing difficulties the local and provincial governments to handle
issues of urban localities. Therefore, the federal, provincial and local governments
have no other option except to increase their budgetary grants to slow down the
urbanization, enhance basic services and develop rural areas having easy access and
connectivity with cities. These measures are necessary for sustainable development.
Therefore, the governments should formulate polices for rural developments to
provide basic facilities including uninterrupted supply of electricity, school education,
availability of emergency services and medical doctors at basic health units,
sanitations and water supplies, comfortable public transportation through
infrastructure of roads having connectivity with markets wherein farmers may sell
their produce. However, local police should behave professionally with the
incumbents and not become instruments of ruling elite and influential people to
victimize the innocent residents on their behalf to threat and terrorize the innocent
with police powers.

 Bad economic situation:

Another element of governance is bad economic situation of the country and crucial
payment of external debts and their installments, huge current and fiscal deficit,
money lending, illegal tax evasion. Last governments did hard work to take huge
short-term and long-term external and internal debts with maximum interest rate to
spend unnecessary development projects without setting the priorities. Education,
health and basic services were not the priority of previous governments. They didn't
focus to control alarming population growth, increase in imports and decrease in
exports, low productivity and growth, to take measure to bring a boost in agriculture
and services industry. Unfortunately, they willingly played with concocted number of
growth through fudging to satisfy the international donor to take debt. When newly
elected government came into power it was difficult for them to pay the debt without
enough reserves therefore, they appealed to the governments of friendly countries
including China, UAE and Saudi- Arabia for financial assistance to pay the debts and
avoid bankruptcy. The money lending and terror financing became a challenge for the
government to satisfy the international community especially Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) to oust the name of Pakistan from grey list but also avoid to be
included in black list. The naming in black list can be disastrous for social, economic
and security related issues of any country. The previous governments not only
enhanced debt with high rate of interest but also with existing levels of indebtedness
they increased government expenditure on unproductive purposes that resulted an
intolerable debt-servicing burden on national exchequer. The head of last two
governments and their cronies are corruption facing cases with the charges of money
laundering and kick bags. In Pakistan, the situation today is not too good but the
government economic team is struggling to bring economic stability but IMF program
has placed a credit squeeze with lot of conditionality of structural reforms that may be
necessary for sustainable economic growth or cause slump in the GNP growth rate.
More than sixty-five (65%) population resides in rural area but they are directly and
indirectly connected with agriculture industry. The main exporting products were
textile and agriculture related goods but in last decade, the agriculture related exports
decreased because of government policies that were not only harming for agrarian but
also government institutions failed to modernize the agriculture, provide productive
seeds and quality pesticides, facilitate the farmers and establish markets to buy
farmers' produces timely with reasonable price. The workers and farmers faced lot of
difficulties to survive in agriculture industry. The government's policies including
subsidizing sugar, industrial rebate on sales tax and lack of institutional checks and
balances on markets, middle-men (brokers), fertilizer and pesticides traders and
dealers discouraged the agrarians. Similarly, energy crises also disappointed the
business community and suppressed the sustainable industrial growth that was
imperative to enhance the exports and curtail current deficits.
 Rapid loss of natural resources:

Another issue is a rapid loss of the natural resources including depletion of forests,
soil and salinity, rising toxicity levels of rivers, untreated disposal of effluents, and
rising levels of air pollution are not only effecting climate to lead healthy life but also
affecting the agriculture and health of the residents. Industrial waste and dirty water
polluted the environment that produced diseases and unhealthy working environment
for all section of working classes. Polluted environment not only caused poverty
through infliction of diseases but also life hazardous for work's effectiveness. For
instance, there is no regulatory mechanism to regulate the pumping of underground
water for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses.

 Institutionalization:

Lastly, state is an organized political community living under defined system of

government. The defined territory, population, government and sovereignty are
reckoned essential elements of a state. Government being an essential and significant
component of a state connotes institutionalization of government organs such as
legislature, executive and judicature rather power concentration or control of any
individual or group of individuals. The concentration or dispersion of powers,
responsibility and liability of use of power by any individual or group of individual
helps to determine the nature and form of government. The nature of state may be
federal, confederal or unitary likewise the nature of government may also be
parliamentary, presidential or monarchial. Although Monarchial forms of government
envisaged absolute powers including legislature, judicature and executive's powers in
the hand of ruler without accountability of usage of said powers but parliamentary or
presidential forms of government is a product of democracy that cannot work without
responsibility and accountability. The constitution of a Pakistan indicates and
determines the nature of state and government, mechanism of constitution of state
organs, rights and duties of state and citizens towards each other, supremacy of
constitution or any organ of government and custodian of constitutional power, rights
and duties.

CHALLENGE OF PAKISTAN’S GOVERNING SYSTEM:

 Foundational factors:
These are factors that fundamentally shape the Pakistani state and its political system.
They tend to be of very long-term origin and significantly change-proof. Although
external actors can do little about them, they need to be borne in mind because they
represent the building blocks of the overall political context.
 Geography:
In the case of Pakistan, geography has contributed to the challenge of governing parts
of the country. The mountainous character of Baluchistan, the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas (FATA) and much of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), and
the extended desert areas in southern Punjab, eastern Sindh and parts of Baluchistan,
pose significant challenges to transport, communication, the delivery of goods and
services, and the provision of administration and security. Historically, the state has
been less able and probably also less willing to deliver basic services to these remote
and sparsely populated areas – even though it extracts significant resource wealth
from some of these regions. They remain the poorest and most marginal parts of the
country, and are also the regions in which the state’s authority is most directly
challenged.
 Geo-strategic position:
The insecurities created by Pakistan’s historically strained relations with India and
Afghanistan have been of fundamental importance in the evolution of the role of the
state. These insecurities have also contributed to the militarization of Pakistani
politics. Pakistan’s problematic relationship with India has been characterized by
three outstanding issues:
1. The consequences of the 1947 partition, which ended in the traumatic separation of
West and East Pakistan from the rest of British India; East Pakistan subsequently
became Bangladesh.
2. The 1947 onset of the Kashmir conflict and its after-effects, which still pose an
almost insurmountable obstacle to the normalization of relations between the two
countries.
3. Tensions over sharing water, mainly concerning reciprocal disagreements over
water usage.
Pakistan’s relations with its other significant neighbor, Afghanistan, have been
equally characterized by structural tensions mainly caused by the following:
1. Allegations that the Pakistani army has meddled with Afghanistan’s internal affairs
in order to safeguard the necessary “strategic depth” to retreat and re-group in this
country in the case of an attack by India.
2. The contested border between the two countries and its porosity, which has
allowed for the movement and operations of the Taliban on both sides of the 1893
Durand Lin.
3. Water sharing disputes, mainly concerning the Kabul River.
Relations with its other two neighbors, Iran and China, have been historically less
problematic, but nevertheless, they have impacted on domestic politics and
militarization trends. Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has grown increasingly wary
about Sunni Pakistan, and that perception has been strengthened by Pakistan’s close
relationship with the US since the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. More recently,
political instability in Pakistan has revived concerns about Iran’s volatile province of
Sistan and Baluchistan. The Baluchistan Liberation Army’s resumption of hostilities
against Pakistani security forces, at the beginning of 2009, adds new concerns for the
Iranian authorities, as this movement is officially committed to the establishment of a
Greater Baluchistan, comprising Baluchi people in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
China has entertained an almost undisputed special relationship with the Pakistani
state, dating back five decades, mainly based on the two countries’ common hostility
towards India. The China–Pakistan partnership serves both Chinese and Pakistani
interests by presenting India with a potential two-front theatre in the event of war with
either country. This special relationship has found concrete expression through the
supply of weapons and nuclear and missile technology, and through technical and
financial support to the development of heavy infrastructure projects in the country
(eg, the Gwadar port and related rail links). Finally, Pakistan’s geo-strategic position
cannot be fully understood without taking into consideration its relations with the US.
The terrorist attacks on the US in September 2001 represent a watershed in the way in
which the two countries are mutually linked. Regional and global security dimensions
have dominated this relationship, while other concerns, such as Afghan stability,
democratization, the Kashmir problem and economic development, remained
secondary. Since 2002, the US has channeled more than one billion dollars a year to
the Pakistani armed forces for a wide range of security-related activities (not
including covert funds).
 Political historical backdrop:
By allowing a buffer zone between British India and Afghanistan, which ran along the
Durand Line, the English laid the foundation for subsequent conflicts between
strongly tribal-based areas (Baluchistan, FATA and parts of NWFP included) and
Pakistan’s central authorities. They also set up the precursor of the powerful Civil
Service, based on strong central control and an emphasis on the maintenance of law
and order, rather than on the provision of services – a deficiency that has been felt
most keenly in the less developed regions of NWFP and Baluchistan, as well as
interior Sindh and southern Punjab.
Pakistan’s leaders have always faced a fundamental problem of nation- and state-
building. Pakistan’s traumatic birth, the bloody secession of Bangladesh, and its
insecure boundaries have all challenged the idea of Pakistan as a unified nation-state
with a fixed boundary and a shared identity. This idea has been further challenged by
the strong ethnic identities of Pakistan’s four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, the NorthWest
Frontier and Baluchistan. Therefore, Pakistani leaders have considered building a
shared national identity as a central task. To do so, they have relied on two key
strategies: guaranteeing state security and promoting Islam as a unifying factor.
 Political competition:
The military has directly or through military-dominated civilian governments, ruled
Pakistan for over half of its history. To a great extent, the army comprises a “state
within a state” with increasing economic power. Even in civilian regimes, the military
has heavily influenced foreign policy and the domestic allocation of resources.
Pakistan’s economy and political system have historically been dominated by a
relatively small number of powerful land-owning families. Politics in Pakistan is
personality and patrimonial in character and political parties in Pakistan show few
signs of internal democracy. Politicians are seldom elected on the basis of policy
proposals and manifestos. Instead, political parties and leaders rely on patron-client
networks to garner votes.
 Distribution and exercise of power:
The most important power holder has undoubtedly been the security apparatus. The
armed forces have historically been dominated by Punjabis, and have represented
landed and industrial interests. The judiciary does not have a strong history of
independence and plays a subservient role to the military and political class. Access to
justice is largely determined by social-economic status and corruption is widespread.
Informal, customary systems of justice (eg, jirgas and vigilante justice) thrive in the
void left by the failure of the formal system.
Some Islamic groups and leaders possess significant political power. Successive
governments, and especially the military regimes, have sought to build their support
and legitimacy through engagement with religious leaders. The military has relied on
these religious allies to counter civilian opposition, primarily in the form of the
Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), which dominated
politics during the democratic interlude of the 1990s. Civil society organizations have
grown in depth and capacity during the past decade. Civil society is largely involved
in welfare or development issues, but there are few organizations engaged in research
or advocacy. In practice, there are limited openings for these organizations to engage
the government in a substantive policy dialogue and few incentives for government to
listen to them.
External actors have played a key role in legitimizing political regimes in Pakistan
and providing them with the resources necessary to maintain their power. In
particular, the support of the US and its allies during the Cold War, the Afghan
conflict and the global “War on Terror” have provided successive military regimes
with international recognition and substantial financial resources. On the other hand,
the current government’s alignment with the US-led fight against the Taliban and al-
Qaeda has impacted on its popularity and has fuelled direct (and armed) challenges to
its authority.
 Key trends:
The question then arises as to what broad trends can be identified that have the
potential to change the quality of governance and the sharing and exercise of power in
Pakistan
Increased radicalization and militancy: Tacit and, in some cases, active state support
for extremist groups, and the Islamization of education and social issues, have made
Pakistan increasingly prone to Islamic extremism. In particular, the government’s
endorsement of the US-led global war against terrorism has been met with growing
resentment within Pakistani society, which has proved to be an ideal breeding ground
for extremist positions. The increasing capacity of Islamist extremists to attack the
state clearly indicates that this worrisome trend is not going to subside soon.
Furthermore, religious radicalization of society could break out of its traditional areas
of origin to engulf the whole country. The state’s inability to deliver basic services
and development, Pakistan’s “democratic deficit”, and widespread corruption has also
added to the appeal of these groups.
Growth of the media and its influence: Both print and broadcast media have expanded
substantially: television channels multiplied from three state-run stations in 2000, to
over 50 privately owned channels in 2008. There are about five religious channels,
which produce programs related to Islam, but which also deal with social issues.
Under President Zardari, the media has gained in freedom of expression, but it has
been accused of sensationalism and being conservative and militaristic. In addition, a
religiously radical position emerged in the media throughout 2008 and 2009, caused
by pressure on the media from radical groups. Only with the shocking takeover of
governance power by the Taliban in seven districts of the Provincially Administered
Tribal Areas in April 2009, and the subsequent military offensive in the Swat valley,
was there a significant turnaround in the media’s orientation towards domestic
radicalism. Furthermore, radical elements have exploited illegal FM stations and
printed press for proselytism purposes. The growth of the media in Pakistani society is
irreversible and it will be crucial to monitor whether it becomes a channel of objective
or partisan reporting.
 Rules of the Game:
Substantive power in Pakistan tends to lie with small elite and its military allies.
These patrimonial elite have used its control over economic and social resources to
maintain its position of authority. Once in power, elected and military officials have
been able to use their formal positions of authority to advance their personal fortunes
and those of their clients and patrons.
 The formal framework:
Pakistan has a relatively comprehensive legal framework for governance, based on
British civil law. In practice, however, legislation is selectively enforced and
contradictory. In addition, Pakistan’s elected and military leaders have governed by
constitutional amendments and decrees rather than parliamentary law-making.
Attempts have been made to create a more accountable and effective local governance
system. In August 2001, the government implemented the Local Government Plan
and created three levels of local government, entailing political, financial and
administrative devolution, on the premise that locally-managed services would
facilitate improved delivery. Some problems did emerge, however, such as politically-
based transfers of authority and non-merit-based recruitment of staff. In addition, few
allocations were actually made to the new local governments from the development
budget.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Democratic system should be strengthened; when democracy is disturbed it corrupts
the whole system. In order to reduce corruption, the national anti-corruption
commission, anti-corruption courts and independent supervisory body must be
established. Salaries of workers must be adequate, and laws must be endorsed to
enhance accountability and transparency to penalize the corrupt strictly.
There must be a strong and an independent accountability mechanism which should
deal un-discriminately with corrupt elements across the board.
In order to increase awareness among masses, the literacy rate should be increased.
Civil Military relations should be on one page, in past military regimes have affected
governance very badly in Pakistan.
There must be system of check and balance in the Constitution of Pakistan like
Constitution of United States of America. Integrated policymaking and its
implementation is imperative which has been remained a major weakness.
As the role of media is always very crucial in educating the masses, so it should be
made responsible to spread awareness. Media’s humorous and stunning role is
mitigated on commercial and sensational basis. Media and civil society should launch
mass awareness campaigns.
Right person on right job, is key to good governance. Right skills must be constituted
to attract and retain the right staff this principle should be adopted and implemented
thoroughly from lower to upper levels in order to enhance good governance.
Presently working service structure system in Pakistan needs reform. Procedure of
posting, transfer and promotion should be revamped. It is required to make the
governmental institutions strong and not individuals but authorizing individuals to
take part in the development of sustainability.
Material delivered and broadcasted by media is important in opinion making
regarding democratic accountability. A distinction should be drawn between real and
formal accountability.
Educational reforms for inculcate moral values, create awareness about cancerous
roots of corruption, relationship and qualification of voters and candidates could may
help to elect such masses who can safeguard good governance.
Rural areas need to develop for maintaining good governance through
decentralization and awareness-raising of locals. Besides waiting for donors to
assistance, the government should adopt a strategy to do it independently. For good
governance decentralization of power from the feudal lords and elite-politicians to the
local bodies is also critical need of the time
The law regarding right to information should be enlarged and should guaranteed for
whole of public on large scale, which will resultantly create sense of responsibility in
the government institutions.
There must be a clear separation between public and private resources so that public
resources cannot be diverted for private benefit. It is necessary for sustainable growth
that the government should continue the previous government’s beneficial strategies
for sustainability and the trend to put an end to the former government’s valuable
works should be stopped.

CONCLUSION:

In Political and constitutional history, the governance have been a ‘suffering

experience’ in Pakistan because of directionless and nomadic political situation since
its independence or at least after the Federal Court’s decision in the case of Maulvi
Tameez-ul-Din Khan, where Pakistan was de-tracked and is never back to track on the
basis of which it came into existence. The major problems which hinder good
governance such as corruption, illiteracy, security, poverty and unemployment etc.
have never been curbed out. All eight indictors of good governance such as
participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness and
efficiency, accountability, and strategic vision, never met the required standards. It’s
the not only Government, but all the institutions of the state and the masses as well
are responsible for such a deteriorated society of Pakistan administratively, legally
and morally as well. The multiple coups d’état and their prolongation with
endorsement and the development of doctrine of necessity on the part of judiciary has
caused Pakistan to suffer a lot in area of governance and of course development.
Pakistan needs bold steps to be taken to be placed in the list of countries having good
governance, wherefrom it may gain respect and honour in international community.
Good governance is supposed to allocate the national resources among the public
efficiently, augmented with equitable opportunities for economic and social
development of a nation. This is assumed the basic responsibility of any government,
which is dependent on good governance. Unfortunately, good governance has been a
dream for both the policy-makers of Pakistan and its people. As a matter of fact,
defects in economic governance results from the failure of government to table a
comprehensive tax policy. In the absence of a good tax policy, people feel burdened
whereas corporate tycoons enjoy the tax evasions. There are certain other examples,
which lead towards the bad governance in the country. Pakistan lacks far behind in
planning and budgeting, which results in mal-practices like corruption and
exploitation of resources. In brief, Pakistan has to re-visit its policies regarding the
governance and management of public affairs to achieve economic growth and
development in the country. It has become inevitable to improve the quality of life of
people of Pakistan, which will not be possible without reforming the basic structure of
governance. Main areas of concern should be macro and micro-economic
management, political stability, improvement of public policy, public administration
and institutional capacity. In sum, governance is very well analyzed in a study that it
is a continuum; it does not automatically improve over time. Citizens need to demand
good governance. Their ability to do so is only enhanced by awareness, education,
and employment opportunities. The Government of Pakistan needs to be responsive to
those demands.

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