When I think of a certain governmental era of Pakistan, a particular success or failure story comes into my mind. I believe, Vision
2025 is going to be that specific project which will be the defining
success story of the present government in the years to come,
and there are not one but many reasons for that. Vision 2025, a roadmap
for Pakistan’s developmental progress basically revolves around seven
basic pillars, each being a vital one. The beauty of Vision 2025 is that
it encompasses a strategy for every menial and major problem that our
country is facing, i.e. from energy shortages to illiteracy, interfaith
harmony to promotion of culture etc.
To say that Vision 2025 is a product of the hard work of the present
government only would be wrong because for something as extensive and
far reaching in its scope, the Planning Commission engaged professionals
from all walks of life to make sure that the Vision 2025 is a realistic
and widely supported program. This Vision 2025 was reached by keeping
in mind the forthcoming global trends – there is going to be a shift in
the hub of the global economic activity, youth would emerge as the major
portion of the developing societies, most of the population of the
world would move to urban cities, energy demands would rise, water and
food security would be threatened, just to name a few.
As mentioned earlier, Vision 2025 revolves around seven pillars however, this post will focus on the 3rd pillar that is “Governance, Institutional Reform and Modernization of the Public Sector”.
No second thought should be spared on the idea that Governance is a
cardinal feature in the development of a country. #Vision2025 will make
sure that governance is made transparent and accountable at all levels.
Pakistan has already suffered due to mismanagement and bad governance. Corruption is rampant not only at upper levels but also at the lowest levels of authority. By inculcating the ideals of good governance, the process of development can be effectuated more effectively.
Another important governance related point which needed some
limelight was reinforcing the writ of the state and Vision 2025 does not
disappoint in this regard. For good governance, it is a primary
requirement that the state is sole in charge of the happenings and no
non-state actor should have the courage to disrupt or challenge the writ
of the state.
To overcome the provincial grievances, Vision 2025 would focus on the
fact that both the federal and provincial governments work as a team
and make sure that the goals set by Vision 2025 are achieved in the
agreed time. More powers would be devolved to the provinces so that they
can build up their own capacity for the progress of their region, this
would mean that the federal government would not be subjected to the
blame-game and provincial governments themselves would have vital say in
what takes place in their jurisdiction.
Another basic agenda would be to introduce accountability of our
institutions, through which they will regain their glory and prestige.
By re-orienting the reach of a common man towards a particular
government institution, Vision 2025 aims at ‘redefining the state-citizen relationship’.
Personally, one of the most revolutionary goals of the Vision 2025 is
the revamping of criminal justice system in Pakistan; reason being that
our courts and judicial institutions are pretty much mired in the same
old ways. As the saying goes, “Justice delayed is Justice denied”, there
was an urgent need of rethinking the criminal justice system in
Pakistan, by making this particular structure more efficient and speedy,
we sure have a way of improving the public image of our institutions.
Also, it is time that we let go of the traditional ways of governance
where all the power is concentrated in the hands of the state. Vision
2025 would lead us to a path where the private sector is also a
significant body of authority especially in the economic arena.
This pillar also talks about the innumerable obstructions existing
between the citizen and government interaction and how they are to be
reduced so that the people are easily in contact with their
representatives. The Vision 2025 would also ensure a political culture where there is an increased value attached with the citizen feedback, this would be attained by sharing facts and figures about development plans with the masses through official websites.
Certainly, it is never too late to fix the wrongs of the past, and
through #Vision2025, we can certainly put Pakistan back in the right
direction.
This post was originally published here:
