Institutional Degradation in Pakistan

Rahimia Magazine (April,2015)

Development of a nation is always dependent on how mature and effective are its political, social, executive and educational institutions. Progress cannot happen in a vacuum and creative and positive attitudes of individuals and societies cannot be bought from a market. These in fact are the achievements of national institutions.
The development of the countries of the first world today is dependent on their infrastructures and institutions. Institutions of their social and political training are so powerful that every other group or individual, however strong it may be, is subservient to them. Individual, no matter how high he rises in social status, may not bypass the institutional protocols – this is precisely what is called the rule of law in the world. If in any country this rule of law does not exist, and if institutions operate on the whims and desires of people, then no one in the world can stop the devastation of country.
Unfortunately in our country, appointments in most of the institutions are made on the basis of bribery and nepotism. This results in inefficiency and lack of professionalism. Even if some able and upright officer is appointed,he is coerced to either join the corrupt system or let the corrupt do whatever they like. Due to appointments on the basis of bribery and nepotism, not only are ability and competence ignored but within institutions mafias begin to reign supreme and corruption is en rooted.
In Pakistan, instead of strengthening institutions, designations, political and executive statuses are preferred. Because of this institutions have lost their efficacy and have lost respect of the masses. A person heading an institution violates the rules of his own institution but asks the nation to abide by principles. This hypocrisy of high officials and leadership has crucially destroyed the repute of national institutions. Most of Pakistan’s problems have actually resulted because of ignorance of merit and standards. If from the first day after independence the culture of empowering and following institutions had been adopted, mafias would not have had held sway in our institutions; ignorance of institutional protocols and self-centric culture would not have been a norm. It is highly imperative that corrupt and incompetent individuals be sidelined and by revitalizing institutions on nationalistic principles, a culture of rule of law and institutional privilege be promoted.

Translation: Mr.Shahzad Anwar,Karachi