Future roadmap of democracy

The present democratic system has not met the expectations of the masses and rather than moving the country forward, it had slid backward and deep in corrupt practices and bad governance.

The demand for constitutional changes and electoral reforms does not mean that democracy is being derailed. If steps are seriously taken to implement reforms, it will strengthen democracy rather than leading to a situation requiring other undesirable means.

There are several reforms needed to achieve the dreams envisaged by the founder of the nation. Pakistan should have a presidential form of democracy where the nation elects the president with executive authority through direct voting along with National Assembly members with the same constituencies throughout the country.

The elected president shall form a small cabinet either from parliament members (National Assembly or Senate) or outside as appropriate. Duration of the government shall not more than four years and a maximum of two terms should be allowed.

There should be at least 15 to 20 provinces and more as the population grows. Each Province may have the same population but this can vary due to demographics. Provinces shall have maximum autonomy to manage their affairs through local population.

The provincial governor shall have executive authority is elected through direct voting like its members for provincial legislative assembly. The elected governor forms a small cabinet to run the affairs either from provincial assembly members or outside as appropriate. 

The country would thus become a federation of all the provinces with foreign affairs, defense, currency, communication an Infrastructure and any other role which provinces entrust them. Senate will comprise of all the federating units i.e. provinces, each one having equal representation. Senators would be elected by province through direct voting.

Local Governments shall have political, financial and legislative powers including law enforcement authority like all developed democracies in the world. Mayor would be elected with direct voting.  

We need to make arrangements to conduct all future elections through biometric machines to ensure genuine voting. The election commission needs to be non-politicised and given autonomy to deliver and satisfy the masses to have transparent scrutiny process and elections.  

NADRA database should be used to develop electoral voting lists for citizens above 18 years of age and preparation of a separate voting list should be abolished. This will remove duplication of work which has been a source of massive irregularities while the voting list will be ready at all times when needed.

 A complete restructuring is required to our judiciary, FBR, Police, law enforcement agencies, taxation, education, health and public sector organisations to root out corruption and inefficiencies and to promote good governance.

We need an automated and lean structure for productivity, good governance, efficiency and cost reduction. A merit base system shall be implemented across the country. The governments should confine itself to legislative and oversight of national and provincial affairs rather than doing business.

Regulatory authorities must not be composed of retired employees and rather consist of technocrats, professionals and business representatives. It should run independently like a private entity and need to be restructured accordingly.

Social Security Services should be restructured and make it vibrant to assist the poor masses in true sense through an electronic system. BISP or Ehsaas programs shall not be run separately but should instead be merged with social services.

Massive infrastructure work that utilises primarily local materials should be undertaken to develop the country on an emergency footing. Land reforms should be undertaken to abolish large land holdings from the country in true sense. Lands should be distributed in small portions for maximum utilisation and production for local and export markets.

We need to develop agriculture-based industries in rural areas to produce value-added goods. This will provide enormous employment opportunities to rural population and reduce uncontrolled migration toward urban areas which is creating a lot of civic and law and order issues.

The government needs to implement an austerity drive with an efficient monitoring mechanism. There shall be a complete ban on foreign medical treatment government officials instead good medical facilities should be developed in the country.

All public sector enterprises (PSE) shall be restructured with professionals/experienced individuals from relevant fields with autonomy to deliver. This will radically improve performance and start generating profits. 

They should fast-track privatization of non-strategic organisations to end funding to the tune of Rs 500- 600 billion rupees each year. PSEs be treated just like another private entity and they should operate under their independent boards,.

To get the country out of financial crisis and avoid bankruptcy, it is important that all political parties should come up with a consensus economic agenda for short, medium and long terms plans to follow and steer the country out of this difficult situation.

This should be ratified from parliament so that future government shall not digress. A referendum should be carried after informing masses why this is necessary and that the country will become stronger and progressive. Alas,  the beneficiaries of today’s corrupt system will never bring these changes as they have gained from an eroded system.