With regard to good governance, the formative years of Pakistan were, in many respects, more encouraging than what the country has witnessed in recent decades. Instead of steadily improving governance and strengthening institutions, Pakistan has experienced a gradual decline in the quality of governance. This is both unusual and deeply concerning. Generally, states face greater difficulties in their formative years because of limited resources, weak institutions and a shortage of trained human capital. Pakistan, however, appears to have moved in the opposite direction: despite having accumulated considerable human and material resources, its governance challenges have continued to deepen.Many of the domestic challenges confronting Pakistan today are directly or indirectly linked to weaknesses in governance. Poor governance creates social vulnerabilities, public frustration and a sense of deprivation among citizens. Such vulnerabilities can, in turn, be exploited by hostile or rival forces seeking to undermine national cohesion and stability.

Good governance implies a system in which the state and its institutions respond efficiently, transparently and fairly to the needs of citizens while protecting national interests. It requires not only the availability of resources but, more importantly, their prudent and productive utilization. Resources provide the state with the capacity to deliver, but the real test of governance lies in identifying available opportunities, mobilizing resources and using them........

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