GOOD GOVERNANCE

PAGE 3

AccountabilityOutline:-

I. What & Pre-requisitesi. A buzz-word now a daysii. A pillar of good governance

iii. An Islamic concept also ( Institution of Nazural Muzalim ( Islamic concept of justice

iv. Pakistans scenario demands the implementation of this concept

v. Involvement of government (executive), judiciary and civil society is imperative

vi. Across the board and indiscriminate

vii. From top to bottom

viii. A sort of ultimate catharsis to purge the nations diseased soul

ix. Should be a comprehensive term ( not only a way or law to incriminate the criminals and then to put them behind the bars, but also a comprehensive strategy to cope with the causes

x. A way of check and balances

xi. Not only public sector oriented but also extended to private sector

xii. Political will

II. Why Important / Needi. Due to rapid proliferation of corruption of all types: political, administrative and institutionala. Corruption costs a lot (b. To clear the Augean stables, Herculean efforts are neededii. For institutional soundness in order to pave the way for developmentiii. For good governance and welfare of the people

iv. Can be a cause of toppling governments

v. Shows, how much leanest a nation is

vi. Absence of accountability creates panic in a democratic society; erodes the concept of social justice; leads to an absolute corruption that results in low productivity, and less institutional credibility thereby tarnishing the whole fabric of society

vii. Absence creates mistrust between citizens and state, aggravates poverty, badly impacts upon governance and economy and breeds criminal cultureIII.Hurdlesi. Political interference, specification of the targets only political opponentsa.Political victimization

ii. Administrative accountability was plagued by favouritism and tendency to save departments reputation through neutralizing inquiries ( third partya. Factionism ( Bureaucracy

b. Corporate corruption

iii. No effective laws ( laws with loopholes ( taking timesiv. No effective implementation of the laws due to use of arbitrary powers for the vested interests

v. Targets criminals not the crime

IV.Ways and Means of Accountabilityi. Third partyii. Sound based laws without loopholes

iii. A bureau or an apex body at centre

iv. Effective monitoring bodies

v. Involvement of civil society to ensure the peoples participation in the process

vi. Induction of honest and men of integrity into the policy implementation

vii. Parliament as a watch dog body, executive is answerable to it

viii. Role of judiciary

ix. Medias roleV.Solutions / Shoulds

i.If should be across the board and indiscriminate

ii.Punishments should be severe

iii. Should not smack of revenge or specification (Impartial)

iv. Should be accomplished within short possible time

v. There should be a permanent forum or agency to implement accountability, independent of executive authority, greater role or judiciary, institutionalization of accountability

vi. Should target crime rather than criminals (causes of)

vii. Try to limit opportunities and temptations of corruption

viii. Less personal discretion

ix. A culture of zero tolerance for malpractices and corruption

x. Democracy peoples participation.

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(Altaf Hussain Ansari)