Time to deliver

December 16 of 2014 was a sad day for Pakistan. Many innocent lives were lost and the whole nation was shocked and grieved. December 16 of 1971 was also a sad day for Pakistan. On both dates the sovereignty of the nation was attacked. The coincidence of two dates cannot be considered a mere coincidence. There is much more to it which cannot be left to the imagination of the nation. The forces of evil have once again ganged up. The need for Pakistan to act effectively on security intelligence has never been greater before.
PTI, as a consequence of its four months of dharnas and jalsas, appears to have been a catalyst to give new dimensions to our civil society. It is now more aggressive, bold and outspoken and has acquired the capability to organise and assemble together for a cause at a short notice - thanks in no small part to tweet technology. The political leadership who consider themselves as the only link and voice of the people have lost out on this singular distinction due to years of pathetic performance. They now have a vibrant civil society as a competitor who has managed to sideline the politicians and have taken it upon themselves to escalate the issues on the streets.
The massive protests at Lal Masjid to take on the clerics, the booting out of an ex-federal minister and sitting MNA from PIA aircraft for being late, aggressive protests at hold up of traffic on VVIP movement is unprecedented and is a manifestation of the fast-changing civil society of Pakistan.
PTI wisely opted to move out of its protest rallies in the wake of the shocking Peshawar massacre and hence out of the media coverage, blame game and political censor. With full focus now on the government compounded with pressure from the result demanding civil society and the categorical message from the establishment that this time they mean business the government of the day is now checkmated to act and act fast and deliver. The Federal Interior Minister in his press conference over the last weekend hinted that there can be more similar incidence. Government has the singular responsibility to ensure it does not happen. Failure to prevent is not an option.
Over the last years the governance of the state has suffered a massive downslide in all segments of governance - be it the security of the state, which cumulated in the Peshawar tragedy, the governance of the energy sector with power and gas shortages cumulating in economic meltdown, non- ending circular debt and street protests, be it the governance of public sector enterprises resulting in massive drain of public money to sustain a corrupt and inefficient system, be it the judicial governance which continues to be by and large devoid of enforcement of relief and punishment. In the process democracy has lost its significance and the trust of the people. There is not one area in the whole chain of state governance, which can be cited as an example of good governance. The whole system is riddled with in-efficiency, nepotism, cronyism and unfair financial practices. Above all there is widespread confusion, lethargy and lack of will and courage to perform by state functionaries, which is truly reflected in off and on adhoc actions taken which are pressure, driven rather than sustainable and well-rooted state policies.
Before any sustainable results could be achieved in any of the area of state governance the system of state management has to be drastically overhauled. The issues are extremely complex demanding skills and able management for their resolution by able managers at all level of state governance - a commodity now so rare to find in our once robust system of state management.
The threat of security to the state and its people is now well embedded in our system. Allowed by the state to let the abettors, perpetrators and actors of violence network flourish over decades the threat and mindset is now institutionalised. All are acting in an arena which is free for all.
The issue of security has global and local dynamics. All past and present ad hoc steps taken by the state, willingly and unwillingly, makes one believe that it has still not grasped the gravity of the danger and is perhaps clueless how to manage the complexity. On the other hand, the people who have suffered too much and for too long are confused and sick of what is going on and hoping against hope for a better tomorrow.
Pakistan is a unique nation benchmarked to the other nations in our region. In no country one witness hordes of arms swinging private guards moving around the cities intimidating the people in private areas like hospitals, recreation spots, shopping area and on the streets. In no country one witnesses the travel of the VVIP, VIP and self-designated so-called VIP with bunch of security personnel paid for by the people of Pakistan. Even the public service officials responsible for the security of the people move around in motorcades of security personnel publicly mocking at the citizens that they are more concerned about their own security rather than that of public, for which they are being paid for by the people. A shameful and cowardly behaviour indeed. It's more of pomp and show at public expense as not the best of it has spared them when attacked for the kill.
In no country is the cell phone chip, the national identification card and passport issued without verifications and at much ease. No country has offered or ignored the unauthorised presence of foreigners on its soil to kill its people or fight proxy wars for the beliefs of the others. No country has allowed foreign funds to reach the pockets of the groups out to attack the sovereignty of Pakistan.
All of it and more of it has been allowed by the successive governments in power to continue unchecked and largely ignored due to lack of will, mala fide intentions devoid of national interest and more of lack of courage to halt these practices.
All of these evil practices unparallel in our region and in all civilised societies, offer an opportunity to the government in vogue to undo the wrongs of many years and restore the house in order. This is an upheaval task but doable. The solution is an easy one if to start with the political leadership starts thinking and acting as a statesmen with focus on short- and long-term national interests rather than as a mere politician with focus limited to the next election. Rest is all a question of organisation, will to deliver and the courage to take on. The winner will be the leader who can manage to stand tall to deliver all of it and be well remembered and rewarded for times to come. Time to deliver is now or never.
(The writer is Chairman Avant Ventures and former President OICCI & ABB-Asea Brown Boverie)