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LETTER TO EDITOR
March 2nd, 2008
Governments & Governance
Formulation of governments at the Federal and Provincial level is a logical corollary of the elections and the leading political parties are engrossed in negotiating deals, collusions and co-operation with each other to acquire the requisite numbers for forming the comfortable governments. Parties with manifestos not only at variance but even diagrammatically opposed to one another are getting together under the professed illusion of "˜forgetting the bitterness of the past in the national interest'. How we wish such a change in our political culture were true and everlasting? Some are succumbing to temptation and changing their party loyalties which to say the least is out rightly unethical. They are certainly blessed with a stout heart and face knowing no shame in lowering themselves to such depths. The government-forming negotiations, particularly between the arch rivals and even the smaller parties with the crucial counter-balancing weights are not so easy and can only be achieved by a policy of give and take, compromising the basic principles and premise. Unfortunately, it is inevitable and nothing new for the politicians after power. They can, however, make up for this failing by selecting the most suitable persons to head various ministries, who should not only be honest, capable, dedicated, firm and fair, energetic and above all highly professional in their respective fields. Experience in the requisite field and administration must outweigh all other political considerations. The nation's fate hangs in their hands and they must be able to take quick decisions whenever confronted with a demanding situation. Had NWFP ex-CM Akram Durrani acted immediately against Mullah Fazalullah of Swat "“ nicknamed Maulana FM) when reported by the intelligence agencies during the very early days of starting his activities, there would have been no such trouble in SWAT. The CM kept dilly dallying on one pretext or the other but mainly due to this incompetence to deal with such situation. He was simply not up to it. Consequently the huge losses in men and material which could had been easily avoided. A similar situation is now in the offing there. A first timer legislator, comparatively much younger in age and who has had no administrative experience of governing has been nominated to run the affairs of this very important province "“ literally in turmoil "“ in the person of a Hoti just because he happens to run the Red Blood in his veins. The political negotiators are, therefore, requested that they may do whatever they wish, bargain with each other as they like but for God's sake keep this very important factor in mind to have real capable and professional persons at each governing seat. Stakes are too high to entrust the progress and development of the country and nation into incapable hands.
Truly
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
30, Westridge-1
Rawalpindi 46000
Tel: (051) 546 3344
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