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Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
How to fill the gaps in governance
The writer is a former Secretary to Government, Home and Tribal Affairs Department and a retired IGP. He can be reached at syed_shah94@ Listen to article The recent address by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security highlighted a critical issue: the persistent governance gaps in Pakistan. He questioned, "For how long shall we continue to fill the governance gaps with the blood of armed forces martyrs?" His statement underscores a fundamental challenge in public policy — ensuring effective governance to eliminate terrorism and maintain national stability. 'Good Governance' has consistently been a top priority in the manifestoes of political parties and international organisations. Its primary goal is public welfare, with peace and security as essential prerequisites for fundamental rights. However, Pakistan has long struggled with governance deficiencies, navigating a fractured system marred by multiple fault lines. These weaknesses fuel crises, trigger unrest and hinder development. Identifying these governance fault lines is crucial. Political instability, rising crime, extremism, terrorism, economic decline, social injustice and civil-military tensions all stem from governance failures. One perspective holds that neglecting grievances fosters divisions, ultimately leading to violence. Theorists like Charles Tilly argue that societal violence arises from perceived inequalities - economic, political and cultural. Relative deprivation, exclusion and marginalisation further contribute to unrest. Distributive injustice reinforces this sense of deprivation, deepening societal divides. Political theorist Francis Fukuyama emphasises the importance of a strong state, asserting that governance starts with the ability to enforce laws and maintain order. A state must have the exclusive monopoly on legitimate force to prevent disorder. This concept gained global traction after 9/11, linking weak states to international terrorism. Fragile states are now seen as potential breeding grounds for extremism, capable of disrupting global security. Consequently, the study of failing, failed and collapsed states has become critical in governance discourse. Many studies suggest that extremism and militancy stem from governance failures. Addressing these challenges requires understanding the indicators of good governance and implementing them effectively. Scholars have identified several enduring governance fault lines in Pakistan. Maleeha Lodhi, in Pakistan: Beyond The Crisis State, outlines five key factors shaping Pakistan's governance struggles: 1) The imbalance of power between elected and unelected institutions; 2) A feudal-dominated political culture fostering clientelism; 3) An oligarchic elite dependent on external financial support while resisting taxation; 4) The use of geography as leverage in national security strategy; and 5) Divisive ideological debates over Islam's role in the state and society, alongside the appeasement of religious extremists. Another critical governance issue is the disruption of civilian rule. Hussain Haqqani argues that Pakistan's national security priorities have driven the country towards an ideological state model, often at the cost of democratic governance. Excessive focus on military strength, ideology enforcement and foreign alliances has weakened internal political structures. One of the most persistent governance cracks is the ongoing struggle over political authority. Ethnic and provincial differences further fragment the state, while the unresolved question of religion's role in governance has deepened ideological divisions. Religious parties, well-funded and heavily armed, exert substantial influence over state affairs. Their ability to mobilise street power and challenge state authority is evident, particularly in Islamabad, where unauthorised structures have been erected on state land with impunity. Given these governance gaps, the critical question remains: what is to be done? The foundation of good governance lies in a well-structured and smoothly functioning system, defined by constitutional principles, legal frameworks and established conventions. Effective governance requires continuity, inclusive participation and responsiveness to diverse perspectives. A system that fosters mutual understanding ensures collective progress, allowing all segments of society to contribute to national development. Good governance is built on efficiency, transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Achieving these objectives necessitates institutional reforms, skill enhancement in the public sector and leadership that is competent, visionary and free from vested interests. A merit-based, depoliticised civil service must support governance efforts, aligning political decisions with socioeconomic progress while avoiding hybrid administrative models. Economic revival is another urgent necessity. Mobilising resources, ensuring macroeconomic stability and maintaining fiscal discipline are essential. Expanding the tax base, strengthening revenue-generating institutions and addressing population growth through family planning and education are critical steps. Promoting female literacy, vocational training and employment opportunities will enhance human capital and social stability. Restoring law and order is paramount for societal well-being. Governance must prioritise human development, skill-building and universal primary education within the next decade. Integrating Pakistan into global economic networks and reassessing foreign policy alignments are crucial for long-term progress. Pakistan's governance challenges are deeply rooted and complex, but they are not insurmountable. Addressing them requires political will, institutional strengthening and a commitment to inclusive, rule-based governance. These essentials can help Pakistan move beyond crisis management and towards sustainable stability and development.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM asked to resolve issue of ministers' absence from NA
PM Shehbaz Sharif announces the declaration of the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS National Assembly Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah lodged a formal complaint over the absence of ministers during the Question Hour in the lower house of Parliament in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday. In his letter, the deputy speaker described the absence of ministers from parliamentary proceedings as alarming, emphasising that their non-attendance, along with that of parliamentary secretaries, violated parliamentary traditions. Referring specifically to the absence of ministers and parliamentary secretaries of the energy and communications ministries during the March 20 session, Shah noted that their unavailability prevented important public issues from being discussed. Low attendance by ministers, parliamentary secretaries, and even treasury bench lawmakers has been a recurring issue during National Assembly sessions. According to report, only 36 members in the 336-seat house attended all the sittings in January this year. A report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a civil society organisation, highlighted that the lack of ministerial presence weakened legislative oversight. While ministers are required to attend the Question Hour, only a few were present in all relevant sessions, the report said. In his letter, the deputy speaker stressed that the issue of ministerial absence needed immediate resolution. He argued that despite the use of national resources, the purpose of parliamentary proceedings was being undermined due to ministers' lack of interest. Shah stated that it was the cabinet's responsibility to answer lawmakers' questions and urged the prime minister to address the issue without delay.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, UK discuss joint terror strategy
Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Thursday discussed adopting a joint strategy against terrorism. In recent weeks, the country has faced a surge in terrorism, ranging from suicide bombings and targeted assassinations to complex assaults on military bases and mosques. To address the issue and build a joint narrative, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) met on Monday and emphasised the urgent need to implement counterterrorism frameworks — the National Action Plan (NAP) and Vision Azm-i-Istehkam - to curb terrorism. With this in view, Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan held an important meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. Both the dignitaries discussed increasing security cooperation and taking collaborative measures to ensure regional peace and stability and agreed on reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. They also discussed ways to strengthen economic partnerships, enhance trade relations, and explore new avenues of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. During the meeting, Sanaullah, who also holds the portfolio of Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding bilateral ties with the UK, said a press release. Additionally, cultural exchanges and the promotion of people-to-people ties were discussed to further strengthen relations between the two nations. Sanaullah emphasized that Government of Pakistan is committed to deepening cooperation with the UK across all sectors and will take all necessary measures to achieve this goal.
Arab News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's top parliamentary panel meets on national security as opposition boycotts session
ISLAMABAD: An alliance of Pakistan's opposition parties on Tuesday declined to participate in an in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which has been convened to discuss the security situation in the country's two western provinces bordering Afghanistan, where militant attacks have sharply risen in recent weeks. The meeting was called just days after the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) stormed a passenger train in a remote mountain pass in Balochistan last week, holding hundreds of passengers hostage. The military launched an operation and, after a day-long standoff, rescued 354 captives and killed 33 insurgents. Militant violence persisted in the province following the incident, with three paramilitary soldiers among five people killed in a suicide blast in Balochistan's Nushki district on Sunday. The escalation in attacks prompted National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to convene the session of the parliamentary panel on Tuesday at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice. However, the opposition Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan— or the Movement for the Protection of the Constitution Pakistan— refused to attend the session in the absence of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was instrumental in forming the alliance and remains its most influential component. 'The information we are receiving, the whispers and speculations circulating, include talk of kinetic action being planned in a brotherly Islamic country,' PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said at a news conference, referring to Afghanistan. 'We would absolutely not want to be a part of any such move.' The government has previously stated that anti-Pakistan militants have found sanctuary in Afghanistan and launch cross-border attacks from there, though officials in Kabul deny the allegation. Raja called for Khan's release on parole ahead of the meeting. He acknowledged the need for a comprehensive discussion but argued it should involve all stakeholders rather than be limited to a small parliamentary committee meeting behind closed doors. 'Now is the time for dialogue,' he said. 'It is not just a time for bombs and ammunition.' Earlier, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported the in-camera meeting would be held at the Parliament House in Islamabad at 11 AM on Tuesday. The state-run media said a 'comprehensive briefing' on the country's security situation will be given to committee members by the military leadership, which would include parliamentary leaders from all political parties and members of the federal cabinet. Oil-and-mineral-rich Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and least populated province, has been plagued by a long-running, low-level insurgency where ethnic Baloch separatists accuse the central government of denying locals of a share in the province's resources. Islamabad and Pakistan's military strongly reject the allegations. The military has a huge presence in Balochistan and has long run intelligence-based operations against insurgent groups such as the BLA, who have escalated attacks in recent months on the military and nationals from longtime ally China, which is building key projects in the region, including a port at Gwadar. More than 50 people, including security forces, were killed in August last year in a string of assaults in Balochistan claimed by the BLA. Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan has also seen a sharp rise in militant attacks since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the state and the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down. The TTP has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan's security forces and civilians since 2007 in KP. Pakistan accuses the Afghan government of sheltering TTP militants, allegations which have strained ties between the two neighbors and prompted strong denials from Kabul.
Arab News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's top military, political leaders call for national consensus, political unity amid militancy surge
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Tuesday stressed the need for a national consensus to counter militancy, calling for a unified political stance to confront the threat with 'full force of the state.' The statement came after a meeting of Pakistan's top civilian and military leaders at the Parliament House days after the hijacking of a passenger train by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, holding hundreds of passengers hostage. The military launched an operation and, after a day-long standoff, rescued 354 captives and killed 33 insurgents. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack. Militant violence has persisted in the province following the incident, with three paramilitary soldiers among five people killed in a suicide attack in Balochistan's Nushki district on Sunday. The escalation in attacks prompted National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to convene a session of the parliamentary committee on Tuesday at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice. Tuesday's meeting at the Parliament House was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of the parliamentary committee, political leaders, Army Chief General Asim Munir, federal ministers and senior intelligence officials. The military leadership and intelligence officials briefed the participants on the security situation, while political leaders expressed their views on how to deal with the prevailing situation. At the end of the meeting, PM Sharif read out a communiqué that was later adopted by the committee unanimously. 'The committee stressed the need for a national consensus on counter-terrorism, emphasizing strategic and a unified political commitment to confront this threat with the full force of the state,' Sharif said. 'It also called for the immediate implementation of the National Action Plan and the Azm-e-Istahkam strategy to dismantle terrorist networks, counter logistical support, and eliminate the nexus between terrorism and crime.' Sharif said the committee expressed concern over the 'increasing misuse of social media platforms' by militant groups for propaganda, recruitment and coordinating attacks. 'It emphasized the need for immediate measures to curb this threat and called for a clear framework to counter terrorists' digital presence and activities,' he added. The committee reiterated that no institution, individual or group collaborating with enemy forces would be allowed to jeopardize Pakistan's peace and stability, according to the premier. It expressed regret over the absence of some opposition members. An alliance of opposition parties, led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, declined to participate in the meeting, objecting to Khan's absence from the moot. Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by terrorism, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases. Militant attacks in Pakistan more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan, remained the hardest-hit provinces, accounting for over 96 percent of attacks and fatalities. 'GOVERNANCE GAPS' Speaking at the forum, Army Chief Gen. Munir said no agenda, no movement and no personality was greater than the security of the country, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing. 'For sustainable development, all elements of national power will have to work in harmony. This is a battle of our survival and that of our future generations,' he was quoted as saying. The army chief stressed the need for 'better governance' in the country and making Pakistan a 'hard state.' 'How long will we continue to sacrifice countless lives in the style of a soft state,' he asked. 'How long will we continue to fill the governance gaps with the blood of the armed forces of Pakistan and the martyrs?' The general urged religious scholars to expose the distorted interpretation of Islam by the religiously motivated militant groups. 'We exist only if the country exists,' he said. 'There is nothing more important for us than the security of the country.' Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan was planning a 'decisive action' against militants. 'Civilian and military leadership are working to unite the entire nation against the terrorist enemy,' he said on X after the meeting. 'The ranks have been formed, victory will be Pakistan's.' The minister criticized the PTI for its absence from the key security meeting: 'No Khan, No Pakistan, is PTI standing by this slogan?' Khan's party said the ex-premier should have been invited to the meeting. 'No representative from us will attend the meeting and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would attend the meeting as the KP chief minister, not the party representative,' PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced at a press conference earlier in the day, saying Khan should have been invited by releasing him on parole. Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a close Khan close aide and spokesperson for the international media, told Arab News the government and military wanted to use the PTI for its 'upcoming adventures.' 'The government and army just want to use PTI for their upcoming misadventures in Balochistan and Afghanistan,' he told Arab News, questioning how the largest party in the country could attend the meeting without directions from their leader. 'Give us access to Khan to get directions as he is the only unifying figure in the country.' Mahmood Khan Achakzai, an opposition leader, said instead of such meetings a joint session of parliament should have been called to discuss this important issue. 'Pakistan's dire circumstances call for a joint session of parliament, where everyone must be given the opportunity to speak,' he said.
