This is the third post on the topic. Please read my earlier post for an introduction.
A foreign government gave a lot of money to a province which fully deserved it for schools to be built and run. Halfway the money got exhausted. A team arrived, reported that half the money at least had been diverted to personal ends. A strong Governor, who was blown up by unknown forces, appointed one of the most competent judges / Chief Justice who was thrown out by equally strong unknown forces and hunted at times by the same forces throughout the country was appointed to inquire. His report did not, as usual, see the light of the day. Without establishing the connection in the Eradication of Corruption report at page 148 we reported that one case against an ex-Minister, four cases against Ex-Chief Minister, and one case against ex-Governor, all of the corruption were withdrawn from courts.
An event of December 2017 made me greatly optimistic about our recovery, soon, quick, at little cost. Interpol reported to our security agencies in Rawalpindi/Islamabad that we see a man blindfolded being carried by two persons on a motorcycle. Our elite force, paid better, trained better, could catch only the blindfolded person. The real culprits managed to escape. No report thereafter how long after the blindfolded man was released, and on what terms, and what action was taken against those performing their duty.
Long back when the same political party was in power as is in 2018, its senior members had an interview with the most successful Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew. It was published in popular vernacular daily of north Pakistan. It must be in their archives. They asked him, can Pakistan ever progress like Singapore? The blunt answer was “Never!”. They were shocked and asked him why he was saying so. He said for three reasons
(i) first, you are all the time looking forward and preparing for the rewards in the life hereafter, almost totally ignoring what is happening around you on earth in your lifetime here
(ii) the second, that you do not believe in reconciliation, mediation, or settlement of your disputes in your lifetime. You want that it should be continued for generations by your successors also. This fact is borne out by two events. Late Justice Samdani has mentioned in one of his books, “I asked a colleague (name not given but likely to be a CSP colleague) ‘Why you do not believe in reconciliation and compromise? His reply was ‘Without it, there remains no thrill in life!”.
For the second event, look up at the longest pending case of the sub-continent. A case of Doshipura, Banaras my town of birth. The case is between one Shia and one Sunni over two acres of land instituted in 1878 reaching Indian Supreme Court in 1981, the Shias winning in all the courts. The order of the SC passed in 1981 is still awaiting implementation. The UP Govt saying it will raise communal dispute hence it cannot, and will not, enforce it. The Sunni claim is based only on the fact that Mumtaz Mahal was buried here till her body was removed to Agra where Taj Mahal was built.
(iii) The third reason given was that the economy and politics of your country is run by Armed Forces to the acclaim of everyone. The reasons given are all long-lasting.
I was fully a part of one foreign aided project, of Village Aid. As Deputy Commissioner, Bhawalpur assisted by two officers I was supposed to supervise it. Three principles which formed the basis of the programme were commendable. First, the economic funding capacity of each district or unit was determined, between 20% to 60 %. Second, the project needed was to be locally selected to establish its local ownership. Third, feasibility was to be done by the concerned department. The execution of the project was to take place by the government department with oversight of local sponsors. Finally, the maintenance to be a local responsibility.
As I was transferred I could not see much of it. What I learnt subsequently was that in most programmes our briefings, presentation, distribution of duties, responsibility, performance and accountability, all were orally shared, not caring much for the accuracy of facts, figures and estimates. Coordination and teamwork was lacking.
There is a very good system, particularly suited for semiliterate and developing societies, of issuing a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for each project or department. It not only educates people but opens a new field of advancement and progress
There should be established a simple but robust system of internal review and accountability , all to be dealt with and disposed of by written orders.
All administrative problems should be dealt with not as in adversary but as in the inquisitorial system. Disclosure of complainant’s identity should be not insisted upon, never disclosed to the opponent, to turn it into adversary proceedings.
Experiences of a Lifetime 