Components of Good Governance

All human endeavours transverse along the two-ended equation ….. the ends and the means. Crux of the matter is the selection of aim / objective and thereafter putting together of various ingredients into a state of cohesive, effective and efficient mechanism for the attainment of the selected goal which in this case happens to be good governance. How to achieve the above aim is the question that we have to find answer thereto? The various steps, measures and ingredients have to be explored, put together, harmonized, tuned-up, articulated, orchestrated, synchronized, regularly adjusted, religiously maintained and vigilantly monitored to ensure optimum efficiency for good governance.

Mercy Appeal to President — Pervez Musharraf

I, as a senior citizen from military fraternity, feel painfully anguished to see the prevailing dreadfully awful and further dangerously looming polarization in civil and military circles. Deep-seated contempt, venomous outlook, yawning gulf of division, volleys of alleged accusations, satirical wild perceptions, abusive concoctions, damaging distortions of military commercial pursuits, environments of overall insecurity, rapidly worsening state of law and order situation, monster of extremism and terrorism, political uncertainty, fragility of trashed national institutions, absence of rule of constitution/law as well as institutionalized system of decision-making, prevalence of writ of man (injustice, unlimited discretionary powers, adhocism and disdainful negation of accountability), derailment of democratic political process, promotion of ‘lota’ culture, grinding poverty, spiraling price index, murder of judiciary as a guarantor of constitution and custodian of justice…..are dangerously widespread and the main topics of discussion in all the gatherings and fora. Military, as an institution, is the focused target of all such scathing onslaught. The pride, grace and dignity of the military profession have been damaged and ditched. Things were never so bad, suffocating and killing as they are today. The image of the military stands tarnished, humbled and humiliated.

Bulletcracy or Ballotcracy

Pakistan is passing through an extremely crucial and dangerously uncertain phase. Threats, both from within and without, are looming large on the horizon. Our rulers, on the contrary, are hell-bent to ignore the harsh ground realities by their self-centered obsession for self-perpetuation, through ruthless employment of bullet…..intriguingly denying the only workable way-out…..free, fair and transparent ballot process.

The Winds of Change

Last six decades of Pakistan’s history is a story of unlimited selfishness and insatiable greed of the ruling classes and the criminal submissiveness as well as un-revolting slavishness of the exploited suffering lot. It has been a ruthless drama of sustained oppression, loot, plunder and injustice of the civil-military bureaucracy, ‘wadera/pir shahi’, characterless turncoats (lotas) and shameless gang of opportunistic sycophants. It is a painful chapter of repeated compromises, unprincipled conduct, unconstitutional stance and sheepish cowardice to challenge the illegal interventionists.

Rule of Law Versus Rule of Man

Rule of Law and Rule of Man are the two diametrically opposed systems of governance which are mutually exclusive and stand firmly fixed apart since ages and for all times to come. They are always at war and fiercely negate each other. Their singular and distinctive hallmarks are the institutionalized process of decision-making as per documented laws and the personalized mode thereon as per whims and undocumented procedures respectively. Rule of law is a symbol of justice, equality of all human beings, individual as well as collective dignity, civilized stance, economic/social progress and maturity of national institutions. Rule of man, on the other hand, smacks of injustice, absence of fundamental rights, social degradation, poor economic progress, unfair distribution of resources and whimsical handling of national affairs. Accordingly, the rule of law is an all-embracing blessing, while the rule of man is a perpetually stinking curse.

Heroes and Zeroes of Judiciary

Whosoever and whatsoever, have to leave this mortal world, sooner or later. Application of this law of nature is absolutely undelayable, unpostponable and exceptionless. Each one of us, regardless of high or low status, can make a hero or zero of oneself, through a selfless or a selfish approach towards life. Choice is our own. Both the courses are mutually exclusive and opposed to each other. They proceed separately on parallel lines and never embrace or even cross each other. The selfish lot reaps stinking disgrace as their life-long earning and are consigned to the dustbin of oblivion. While the selfless lot, who live and die for others, win over the distinction of becoming immortal in this mortal world of ours.

Non-Issues Versus Core Issues

Knowledge-based general awareness, culminating into vibrant public participation, is the ultimate sledgehammer which tears apart the thick layers of exploitative darkness and the perverted selfishness of the rulers. It is a beacon light which illuminates the human vision and guides them to an overall dynamic process of self-realization, human dignity, freedom, fundamental rights, social justice and writ of law/constitution.

People’s Power

People’s democratic mailed fist is the determined assertion of their irresistible power against the forces of tyranny and exploitation. People are the ultimate symbol of national resistance for their fundamental rights and sovereignty. Democracy is the rule of the people, by the people and for the people. Through genuine democracy alone, they become the undisputed sovereign rulers. They are in the driver’s seat, steer the affairs of the state and rule the roost. Nothing and nobody can violate their supreme status and suppress their defiant will.

Our History Demands Justice

History is a reflection of our past, pleasant and unpleasant memories, achievements and failures, moments of pride and disgrace and milestones of fame and shame. It is a sum- total of our past doings and misdoings, both of sweet and bitter tastes and of highly motivating successes and deeply depressing disappointments. It is a large mirror, which never lies. It always speaks the undiluted truth and portrays features of our national face most dispassionately. Its verdict is stark naked, totally impersonal, ruthlessly impartial, fearlessly outspoken and revengefully unforgiving. There is no scope for mincing of words, taking cover of lame justifications, linguistic articulations and selfish interpretations or misinterpretations. It cannot be concealed, covered or camouflaged. Its most distinguished hallmark is its transparent truthfulness and the unblinking conviction for expression thereof regardless of reverberations.

Sweeping Discretionary Powers

Unbridled use of discretionary powers implies restriction-less freedom or authority to make decisions and choices, overriding existing constitutional constraints, Islamic teachings, regulations and legal norms. Such powers smack of dictatorial, unconstitutional, unaccountable, illegal and immoral connotations. Power, proverbially, corrupts and absolute concentration of power in the hands of a few so-called elites, corrupts absolutely. Total and absolute sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty alone. He is the only ultimate ruler, in all respects and for all the times. His attributes are immortal and He is answerable to none. There is no god, but God and God alone. We, as human beings, whatever the status, are too weak, too fragile, too insignificant and absolutely mortal and perishable.