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People, Leaders and the Bureaucracy in Pakistan

by Syed Atiq ul Hassan

The creation of Pakistan brought an inherited system of administration in the newly born country in 1947. That despotic model of civil administration installed in India by the English monarchy on the name of maintenance of `law and order' and `dispensation of justice' to control the colonized nation. The Government of India Act, 1919, Section 96 B stated that, "Subject to the provisions of this Act and of the rules made there-under, every person in the civil service of the Crown in India holds office during His Majesty's pleasure...." Subsequently, the Government of India Act 1935 (Section 240) instituted a similar concept in the terms of service for the bureaucracy. The Government of India Act, 1935, remained in effect in Pakistan until 1956, and the pleasure of the Crown was retained as the basis of the services of all civil servants. Since 1956, even so there have been subsequent changes made in the constitution and establishment procedures yet the attitude and powers of the bureaucracy, in Pakistan, could not be seen as liberal, democratic and moderate. Very quietly and in the background, father-to-son, family-relation and quota-based system produced a colonial-style community within the establishment who have been enjoying and dominating the country by following the gift of Englishmen. Hence, the people of Pakistan did achieve independence from the English rulers, in 1947, but the nation could not make himself free from the colonial system of bureaucracy. Moreover, as the country took over by the army in 1958 and the power remained with the army with few intervals the bureaucracy avoided any confrontation with the army instead formed a civil-army style establishment to share and enjoy the rule in the establishment. Pakistan might be among those few countries where even in civilian rule army officers and bureaucrats are found working side-by-side on key positions.

There have been instances when political leaders, when in power, turned out to be sincere in making progress for the nation but the civil-army joint business in Pakistan never allowed them to change the colonial system of bureaucracy. As matter of fact, bureaucracy has always been in the background of every coming and going government. The most powerful political leader of his time and the former Prime Minister of Pakistan late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto demonstrated his courage and removed 362 bureaucrats from the established. Nevertheless the bureaucracy, on their turn, took its revenge. The bureaucracy co-operated with then army chiefs in eliminating Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto through a legitimately endorsed decision of the court of justice and Bhutto was hanged, mysteriously, in the darkness of a night.

In the last half a century whether Pakistan has made any progress or not, or whether the nation has become more divided than united but there should not any contentious on the fact that the bureaucracy has become more stronger and tied-up with army and landlords in Pakistan to rule the country once and for ever. It's not only within Pakistan the autocratic image of Pakistani bureaucracy can be seen outside the country among their foreign servicemen.

It has been a common practice in Pakistani establishment that bureaucrats from pure administrative positions or the ex-army officers are given diplomatic roles in foreign services. For example; the former High Commissioner to Australia, Khawar Zaman belonged to the Police department. Before coming to Australia he was serving as an IG Police Sind. Similarly, the former consul generals in Sydney were from Police and Custom departments. When these people took over the role of diplomats, their dictatorial attitude never match with the overseas Pakistanis who are very much customized with the environment of a free society where freedom of speech and respect of diversified views & thoughts are the most important attributes of the society.

The community leaders and the active members of (overseas) Pakistani associations and groups are those unpaid patriotic Pakistanis who spend their time, money and talent in representing their country. They expect to have more close communication with their diplomats on Pakistan's affairs and community issues. Contrary, bureaucratic-background diplomats always try to keep distance from them. The community leaders and media representatives are more vocal on public issues. They expect fair dealings. Therefore, they are found to be disregarded figures by the diplomats. Instead to counter these patriotic Pakistanis the diplomats use the same tactics what they use in Pakistan. They keep the group of those opportunists who can bargain with them on mutual benefits, entertain them and when time comes forward favourable recommendations for them.

President Pervez Musharraf is recognized as the most powerful and absolute leader of Pakistan at present. It is a common impression about him within and outside Pakistan that he can make much progress for Pakistan if he remains in power. Inspiring with Musharraf's high-level of intelligence, powerful decision-making qualities and acknowledging his positive results for the country many overseas intellectuals, thinkers and professionals of different fields want to have close communication with the leadership. Many of them wish to return to Pakistan and serve their native land. However, they also want to assure that their skills should be acknowledged when they return back to Pakistan. Again Pakistani bureaucracy is found to be the biggest hurdle between these patriotic Pakistanis and the leadership. Their recommendations, suggestions and feedbacks on various issues never reach to the leadership as they hardly get any response on their correspondence.

One piece of example, on the abovementioned issue, is another experience of mine during my (media) coverage of President Musharraf's recent visit to Australia.

President Musharaf visited Australia from 13th to 16th of June 2005. This was the first visit of any head of state from Pakistan. Naturally, Pakistanis living in Australia were very excited and desperate to see President Musharraf. Since the Pakistanis in Australia heard the news that President Musharraf would meet Pakistanis in Australia, the people were very ambitious. They wanted to meet with the President as that could be the lifetime opportunity for many of them. The people wanted to see the President live and hear from him on the progress and plans being made by the government in Pakistan.

Pakistani associations, active community members and the media representatives were making plans and putting (their) days & nights in the preparation to pay a warm welcome for the President. Moreover, there were some individual who made remarkable achievements in their professions as being doctors, scientists, writers and journalists. These proud Pakistanis wanted to submit their credentials and outputs to the President in person.

Instead of making the visit open to every Pakistani and welcoming the President by involving the entire community, the diplomats kept President's 3-days visit to Australia secret from the Pakistani community and their representatives. Only selective people, of their choice, were secretly issued the invitations for the community function by the high commission office. The most surprising and shameful incident was that even those prominent and well-known Pakistanis who were invited by the Prime Minister of Australia at the official luncheon to President Musharraf, were totally ignored and not invited in any event of Musharraf's visit by Pakistan High Commission Office. Eventually and as generally happened in Pakistan, the wrongdoings were tried to rectify to some extent when the people raised their voice and protested against unjust.

President Musharraf claims to see Pakistan an enlightened, moderate and democratic society. He wants to see Pakistan an esteemed nation in the world. He expects from overseas Pakistanis to serve the country with their rich talent and visionary ideas. I can very boldly say that Overseas Pakistanis are those Pakistanis who possess more love and respect for Pakistan than the people within Pakistan. They want to serve their country with great honour. But the question is, can President Musharraf obtain any real benefit from them. Can these sincere, honest and highly talented Pakistanis, who have recognized themselves on others' soil, find a system of direct approach with their leaders without the barriers of bureaucracy? The answer may be with the Pakistani leadership if he gets this message across. (The author is Sydney-based journalist).

 
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