A centralised government system
The PML-N government has gone through a series of crises. First came several shutdowns, the last being the most devastating. This was followed by petrol crisis which was not only unprecedented but also unforeseen. Both led to the wastage of thousands, if not millions, of man hours. All this happened after the Prime Minister had held lengthy meetings to review the audit reports of last year’s performance of various ministries. The two crises exposed not only the government’s performance but also the futility of the audit exercise which had failed to bring any improvement. Now we are told that an Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Cell is about to be set up in the PM’s office to keep watch on the working of key ministries. If the past is any guide the cell will face the fate of the exercise in audit.
A public relations exercise was undertaken by the PM to undo the damage done by the series of crises. The PM made a well-prepared visit to Aabpara market in Islamabad. It was ensured before the visit that instead of any unpleasant slogans there would be a comforting chant of “sher aaya, sher aaya” during his presence. While the visit would reassure Nawaz Sharif that everything is hunky-dory in the country, it is not likely to fulfill the purpose for which it was undertaken.
What ails the PML-N administration can be cured neither by audit reports and Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Cells nor by PM’s casual tours to vegetable and fruit markets. A centralised style of governance where everything is controlled by a coterie of family members might suit a small private enterprise, it simply cannot succeed in a country with over 190 million population. The PM himself cannot efficiently run a number of portfolios, each of which requires a full time minister.
Military courts have meanwhile started functioning. Two major terrorist attacks that took place after the courts were announced indicate that unless the intelligence gathering system is improved, military courts alone would not help.