In a parliamentary system of government, the governor is a nominee of federation, performing a ceremonial task, while all executive powers vest with Chief Ministers and legislation with provincial assemblies.
We have recently seen the fate of State Governor of Illionos, who has been charged with seeking personal favours while exercising his constitutional right to select an individual to replace the vacant seat arising after the election of Senator Barak Obama as President elect of USA. In accordance with American Constitution the state governors enjoy immense powers unlike Pakistan.
Yet the powerfull Governor of Illionos has to face the rap for his behaviour unbecoming of a governor. The Constitution of Pakistan in its preamble states that there will be no laws repugnant to provisions of Islam, or the spirit of constitution which is based on parliamentary democracy.
Our religion and constitution are both very clear about the role of public servants, their accountability and strict censure for perjury, conflict of interest, financial or administrative impropriety, wastage of public funds and misuse of powers of discretion.
There are strict laws made by LDA which restrict construction of high rise commercial buildings beyond a certain height. Penalties for such violation range from demolishing the structure to imposition of fines. It is unfortunate that a high rise building under construction in Gulberg, Lahore, is wilfully violating the Height Restriction and justifying this intentional breach of law by paying penalties.
This is a very serious breach of law and the firm responsible is owned by the Governor. As if this is not enough the Governor's House is adorned with party banners, thereby making this a controversial office, who is required to act with dignity and rise above petty politics, since he represents the federation, which comprises all parties, people from all provinces and requires public display of neutrality.
In any case the Governor should not be seen to be publicly involved creating hurdles for the elected provincial government, by his act of deliberately delaying appointments like that of Ombudsmen, which he has done for over three months. The people of Punjab have given a verdict in favour of a party, which like the main party in the federal government, does not enjoy absolute majority, but clearly represents the wishes of the majority.
Interest of democratic tradition in Pakistan require the governor to exercise his limited powers discreetly without any favour or discrimination. The elected Federal Government and elected Provincial Governments must learn to live with tolerance for dissent and desire to respect the mandate of the nation, rise above party politics for the greater national interest, given the tense situation prevailing on the borders of Pakistan.