Modernizing governance is the biggest challenge faced by the government the ‘Baboo’-friendly Prime Minister (PM) has spoken against his own loyalists. His cabinet includes powerful bureaucrats from Punjab and the former Chief Secretary who now sits as the Cabinet Secretary in complete harmony.

The meeting was convened to review the new expert driven framework introduced by the Power Division. To achieve efficient and accountable governance, professionalization and decentralization have been adopted. He blamed the institutional inertia in blocking the much-needed reforms in the bureaucracy.

I am not sure whether he was speaking his heart out or was reading the prepared text as he has enjoyed very cordial relationship with the bureaucrats. It is indeed interesting that every ruler starts with the praise of the ‘Baboos’ but then finally turns against them at the end of their rule. Those who control the files have the final laugh. Worldwide, bureaucrats have been outdated for about half a century. Technocrats have taken over.

Confusion prevails over understanding of the role of these so-called experts who have been called in to replace the obsolete ‘Baboos’. I remember my meeting with prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on June 26, 2004. As Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) I was invited for my professional input into the Sui Gas project for supply of natural gas to Ziarat. After the formal discussions, I floated the idea of bringing in the ‘technocrats’ for better governance. Prompt came the reply, “They are not elected”.........

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