The Quaid’s doctrine

Even after 68 years of independence some vested groups are advocating that democracy is not suited to our intellect. What these people have forgotten is that it was the masses and not the British-trained bureaucracy and feudal beneficiaries that supported the demand for a separate state. The Quaid spoke about paid bureaucracy and reminded them of the “constitutional and legal implications” of their oath, binding them to be faithful to the constitution, and “that the executive authority flows from the head of the government of Pakistan”. He further elaborated that “any command or orders that may come to you cannot come without the sanction of the executive head. That is the legal position”. While referring to the role of the bureaucracy, the Quaid wanted Pakistan to eradicate the ‘curse’ of corruption, bribery and black marketing which we inherited from British India.

But we are a country where corruption has been institutionalised. The state has distanced itself from its primary obligations of providing welfare, education and health to its citizens and instead become hostage to the insatiable greed for state lands and perks by paid and elected public office-holders. The politics of principles and ethics followed by politicians of calibre and integrity like M A Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, etc, has been reduced to the politics of opportunism.

Ali Malik Tariq

Lahore