There is a widespread perception that in Pakistan there are a plethora of very well researched papers but gathering dust in government offices, penned by sector experts (domestic and international) — some commissioned by well-meaning incoming administrations (through setting up task forces) or through technical assistance provided by international donor agencies (targeted towards notable shortcomings in ministries/departments) or necessitated by technology improvements backed by emerging areas of concern (example climate change).

These research papers with detailed recommendations could have enabled our administrations to take timely and appropriate policy decisions, but they remain, at best, unread and, at worst, not implemented as their recommendations are opposed by relevant powerful influential groups.

In some instances, the policy of a key political figure, perhaps with the best intent in the world, is allowed to prevail — a policy that more often than not fails to take account of prevailing macro and/or micro conditions due to lack of qualifications and/or experience.

It is therefore little wonder that a common prevailing element in nearly all donor loans is highlighting poor governance in Pakistan but instead of seeking specific reforms to improve governance donors typically focus on sector-specific conditions which have consistently failed to deal with the underlying problems; and which accounts for Pakistan currently on its twenty-fourth International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.

The need to improve governance has been acknowledged by successive governments – civilian and military. Civil service reforms were first proposed as far back as in 1973. Commissions and committees have been periodically established to deal with civil service reforms........

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