Exercises in futility

Many commissions, committees and studies have been established and conducted for reforms in various areas of governance. However, their recommendations have never been implemented in the right spirit. The prime minister constitutes a committee to come up with a practical plan for better government policies, comprehensive and workable suggestions are offered by powerful high level committees headed by competent and upright bureaucrats and/or experts but these recommendations are almost never implemented by the rulers.

In other cases, the committee often falls victim to red-tapism, and its recommendations end up in office files. As a result, these committees and commissions, despite their potential, end up becoming political gimmicks and a waste of public funds. Swift legislation or executive orders offer another avenue for bringing about changes and improving governance. However, this is easier said than done because the resistance from influential elements and bureaucratic bottlenecks are too much to handle for most governments.

Engr Viqar ul Haq

Islamabad