That is a comment worth discussing.
While it is true that the Army has clearly acted when it was the only option left to keep the country together, as you have mentioned, it is also equally clear that it continues to act far beyond its legal remit at most other times in the country's history when there is no patent need to do so.
As a result, the growth of other important national institutions has been stunted to the point where Pakistan has been left with an insurmountable disadvantage to compete adequately in the 21st century. That is the reason I keep pointing out the facts very honestly, because unless this basic distortion in power politics is changed, long term stability will remain in grave doubt.
I fail to understand how army is considered to have gone beyond its legal ambit, when people agree that in all instances, takeover was the last resort. This tantamount to a sweeping statement without any incriminating evidence.
All important national institutions have been thoroughly corrupted by the political parties itself. Civil Servants are busy in BANDAR BANT of plots sold at dirt cheap prices, as they know when development activity will start. Judiciary has compromised itself beyond doubt. State corporations have been inundated with political recruitment to the extent that their very existence is likely to become extinct.
In my opinion Civil Servants are the worst enemies of Pakistan. If only they perform their duty in the light of Quid's address to them, I am sure this country's 70% of the problems will be resolved. Some of my thoughts for sharing purposes.
Carvers of Pakistan’s Current Situation
Pakistan was one of the most enterprising countries in the world. It was reckoned as land of doctors and engineers in the western world. It played pivotal role in establishing starring commercial ventures for the countries like UAE & Singapore. It was also instrumental in development of desert lands into what is known to be one of the leading urban areas. It has abundance of natural resources worth billions of Dollars and human resource, which is jubilantly celebrated as intelligent young software engineers, high achieving ACCAs, , sportsmen, engineers, doctors and soldiers. It holds one of the largest youth human resource, when most of the countries in the world are short of effective manpower for future.
Natural and Human resources are key to accelerated development of a country. Yet this country still stands in the line of developing/ under developed countries, after 66 years of sovereignty. Time and again, this issue has been touched upon halfheartedly and abandoned; most of the times blame is apportioned to dictators and politicians. Though incompetence of governing faction cannot be overruled; but, those who are the real culprits to bring down Pakistan to the brink of destruction are always allowed to go scot free.
In true sense it is the bureaucracy of this country who with the connivance of their subordinates has de-shaped and damaged this country. Had state machinery been functioning as per the vision of Quid-e-Azam, despite all the traitors, Pakistan would have joined the ranks of most developed nations in the world.
Quid-e-Azam’s expectation from civil servants was spell out by him at Peshawar in April 1948:
‘
The reason why I am meeting you is that I wanted to say a few words to you who are occupying very important positions in the administration of this province. The first thing that I want to tell you is that you should never be influenced by any political pressure, by any political party or any individual politician. If you want to raise the prestige and greatness of Pakistan you must not fall victim to any pressure but do your duty as servants of the people and the state, fearlessly and honestly.
The services are the backbone of the state. Governments are formed. Governments are defeated. Prime Ministers come and go, ministers come and go, but you stay on. Therefore, there is a very great responsibility placed on your shoulders. You should have no hand in supporting this political party or that political party, this political leader or that political leader. This is not your business.
Whichever government is formed according to the constitution, and who ever happens to be the prime minister or minister, coming into power in the ordinary course, your duty is only to serve that government loyally and morally but, at the same time, fearlessly, maintaining your high reputation, your prestige, your honour and the integrity of your service. If you start with that determination, you will make a great contribution to the building up of Pakistan of our conceptions and our dream-a glorious state and one of the greatest nations in the world.
While impressing this upon you, I wish also to take the opportunity of impressing upon our leaders and politicians in the same way, that if they ever try to interfere with you and bring political pressure to bear upon you, which leads to nothing but corruption, bribery and nepotism-which is a horrible disease and for which not only your province but others too are suffering-if they try to interfere with you in this way, I say they are doing nothing but disservice to Pakistan.
I hope that each of you will understand his own sphere of duty and responsibility and act with others harmoniously in complete cooperation, keeping in mind that each has to do his duty within the sphere to which he belongs, if on your part start with that determination and enthusiasm – and I hope the other side will also realize what a terrible evil they are raising up and how it demoralizes the services to try and influence this department or that departments, this office or that officer-and if you stick to your determination you will have done a great service to your nation. Putting pressure on service people is, I know, a very common fault of politicians and those with influence in political parties, but I hope you will now, from today, resolve and determine to act according to the humble advice I am giving you.
May be some of you may fall victim for not satisfying the whims of ministers. I hope it does not happen, but you may even be put to trouble not because you are doing anything wrong but because you are doing right.
Sacrifices have to be made, and I appeal to you, to come forward if need be to make the sacrifice and face the position of being put on the black list or being otherwise worried or troubled. If some of you will give me the opportunity of your sacrifice, believe me we will find a remedy for that very soon. I tell you that you will not remain on the black list if you discharge your duties honestly, sincerely and loyally to the state. It is you who can give us the opportunity to create a powerful machinery which will give you complete sense of security.’
To comprehend and understand his vision of a civil servant’s character, it is necessary to go through an extract from Shahabnama by Qurdratullah Shahab, an ICS officer.
۔اس بار جو میں نے چیف منسٹر کے کاغذات کا جاٗزہ لیا تو ان میں ایک عجیب دستاویز ہاتھ اّیٗ ۔ یہ چھ صفحات کا ساٗکلوسٹاٗلڈ انتہایٗ خفیہ حکم نامہ تھا۔ جو کانگرسی چیف منسٹروں کے نام اس ہدایت کے ساتھ جاری کیا گیا تھا کہ ہر چیف منسٹر اسے اپنی ذاتی تحویل میں رکھے۔ اس میں لکھا تھا کہ تقسیم ہند کا معاملہ تقریباّ تے پا چکا ہے۔ اس لیے جن صوبوں میں کانگرس کی وذارتیں قاٗہٗم ہیں وہاں پر مسلمان افسروں کو کلیدی عہدوں سے تبدیل کر دیا جا ےٗ ۔ خاص طور پر ہوم ڈپارٹمنٹ، فنانس ڈپارٹمنٹ اور پریس ڈپارٹمنٹ میں با اعتماد ہندو افسروں کو تعینات کیا جاےٗ ۔ ڈی سی، آیٗ جی اور ایس پی عموماّ ہندو ہوں۔ تھانوں کے انچارج بھی زیادہ سے زیادہ ہندو ہوں۔ مھکمہ پولیس می اور ضلعی انتظامیہ میں مسلمانوں کو فیلڈ ورک سے ہٹا کر بے ضرر قسم کے دفتری کام کاج پر لگا دیا جاےٗ ۔ پولیس کی نفرے میں مسلمان سپاہیوں کو بتدریج غیر مسلح کر کے پولیس لاہٗن اور تھانوں کے اندر معمولی فراہٗض پر مامور کیا جاےٗ ۔ جن صوبوں میں سرحدی مسلمانوں سے بھرتی شدہ ماوٗنٹڈ ملٹری پولیس ہے، اسے فوراّ توڑ دیا جاےٗ۔ اور افسروں اور نفری کو اختتام ملازمت کی مناسب رقم یکمشت ادا کرکے رخصت کر دیا جاےٗ۔ سرکاری خزانوں، اسلحہ خانوں اور محکمہ مال کے ریکارڈ آفسوں کی حفاظت کےلیےٗ ہندو گارڈ تعینات کےٗ جاہٗیں۔ اسلحہ رکھنے والے مسلمان لاہٗسنس ہولڈرز کی نقل و حرکت کی نگرانی کی جاےٗ۔ ایسے ہنگا می منصونے تیار رکھے جاہٗیں جن کے تحت ان لہٗسنسداروں سے قلیل ترین نوٹس پر ھر قسم کا اسلحہ قریبی تھانے میں جمع کرایا جاسکے۔ کاروں، بسوں، ٹیکسیوں اور ٹرکوں کے مسلمان مالکوں کی فہرستیں بنا کر ان پر کڑی نظر رکھی جاےٗ۔ مسلمان آتش بازوں کے لاہٗسنس معطل کر دیےٗ جایٗں، اور ان کا آتش گیر سٹاک فوری طور پر پولیس کی حفاظت میں لے لیا جاےٰ ۔ وغیرہ، وغیرہ ۔ ھر چیف منسٹر کو نہایت سخت تاکید کی گیٗ تھی کہ وہ ان ہدایات پر ایسی خوش اسلوبی سے عملدرآمد کرے کہ اس سے آبادی کے کسی فرقے کے خلاف کسی کے امتیازی سلوک کا پہلو مترستٓح نہ ہو! بغل میں چھری اور منہ میں رام رام کا اس سے بہتر ظہور چشم تصور میں لانا محال ہے۔
یہ حکمنامہ پڑھ کر مجھے شدید ذہنی دھچکا لگا۔ مہاتما گاندھی کی نام نہاد بے تعصبی کی لنگوٹی باد مخالف کے جھونکوں میں اڑ کر دور جا پڑی، اور وہ اپنے اصلی رنگ و سوغن میں بالکل بہنہ ہوگےٗ۔ اہنسا پرم دھرم کے اس جھوٹے پجاری کے اشاروں پر ناچنے والی انڈین نیسشنل کانگرس کے عزاہٗم مسلمانوں کے خلاف اتنے ہی خطرناک اور سنگین نکلے جتنے کہ ہندومہلسبھایاراشٹریہ سیوک سنگ کے سمجھے جاتے تھےأ بلکہ کانگرس کے سازشانہ منصوبوے دوسری فرقہ وارانہ جماوروں سے بھی زیادہ پر خطر اور ہولناک تھے، کیونکہ ہندوستان کے کیٗ صوبوں میں کانگرس کی حکومت تھی، اور مرکز کی عبوری گورنمنٹ میں ۱۴ میں سے چھ کانگرسی اور مذید دو غیر مسلم وزیر تھے۔ فوج کا محکمہ سردار بلدیو سنگھ کے قبضے میں تھا۔ اور سارا ہندوستالن کی پولیس، سی آی ڈی،ریڈیو اور ذرایعؑ ابلاغ کی مشین سردار دلبھ بھایٗ پٹیل کے متعصبانہ ہاتھوں ممیں تھی۔ اس میں کویٗ شک نہیں کہ کانگرس اپنی قوت کے تمام وساٗل مسلمانوں کا سر کچلنے کے لےٗ ہر طرح کے کیل کانٹے س لیس ہو رہی تھی۔
یہ دستاویزپڑھ کر میرے دل میں ایک عجب سی کشمکش ہوتی رہی۔ ڈپٹی ہوم سیکریٹریکا پیشہ ورانہ ضمیر میرے اندر چھپے ہوےٗ بے عمل، ناقص اور خوابیدہ سے مسلمان کے ضمیرکے ساتھ ٹکرا کیا۔ خدا کا شکر کے کہ تھوڑی سی لڑایٗ کے بعد جیت ٹوٹے پھوٹے مسلمان ہی کی ہویٗ۔ چناچہ میں نے یہ دستاویز اٹھا کر اپنی جیب میں ڈال لی، اور اسی رات قاۃٗد اعظم سے ملاقات کرنے کی نیتّ سے دہلی روانہ ہو گیا۔
ان دنوں مٹر کے۔ایچ۔ خورشید قاۃٗد اعظم کے پراہٗیوٹ سیکریٹری تھے۔ اگر وہ دہلی میں موجود ہوتے تہ غالباّ مجھے قاہٗد اعظم سے ملنے میں کوہٗی دقت پیش نہ آتی ۔ لیکن وہ موجود نہ تھے۔ ایک دو روز کی تگ و دو، منت ماجت اور حیلے بہانوں کے بعد آخر بڑی مشکل سے مجھے قاہٗد اعظم تک رسایٗ حاصل ہویٗ۔ جب میں ان کے کمرے میں داخل ہوا تو بولے، ۔ کیا بات ھے؟ ۔ ـ ۔سر، میں آپ کے لیٗے ایک مفید دستاویز لے کر آیا ہوں۔ میرا نام قدرت اللہ شہاب ہے۔ میں اڑیسہ میں ڈپٹی ہوم سکریٹری ہوں۔ ۔ میں نے ایک ہی سانس میں زیادہ سے زیادہ باتیں کہنے کی کوشش کی۔
۔کیسی دستاویز؟(MAJ)ـ
میں نے آگے بڑھ کر کانگرس کا سرکلر ان کی خدمت میں پیش کیا۔ وہ بڑے سکون سے اسے پڑھتے رھے۔ میں کھڑا ہوا ان کے چہرے کا جاہٗزہ لیتا رہا۔ ان کے جذبات میں ہلکا سا ارتعاش بھی پیدا ہوا ۔ ایک بار پڑھ چکے تو مجھے کرسی پر بیٹھنے کا اشارہ کیا، اور فرمایا ۔ ۔ ہاں، یہ ہمارے لیےٗ مفید ہو سکتی ھے ۔ ـ
یہ کہہ کر وہ دوبارہ اس کے مطالعے میں مصروف ہو گےٗ۔ اس کے بعد مجھ سے دریافت کیا۔ ـ تم نے کہاں سے حاصل کی ہے؟ ـ
میں نے فر فر ساری کہانی سنا ہٗی۔
(MAJ)ـ ویل ویل ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ تمہیں ایسا نہیں کرنا چاہیے تھا ـ
[1]“ This is breach of Trust”
This incident clearly defines his vision, expectation and requirement of a civil servant, where under most crucial situation, when Indian National Congress was conspiring against Pakistan, even before its creation and was cheating its Muslim supporters; he continued to profess Trust and did not approve its breach by a civil servant.
Had the civil servants been dutiful, Pakistan would not have had illegal constructions, encroachments, traffic jams, blatant corruption. It is these bureaucrats who violated the code of conduct given to them by Quid-e-Azam and involved themselves in protecting violators of building control. It is under their shadows illegal arms came into the cities and it is under their patronization encroachments take place in each and every nuke and corner of this country.
Simple examples of their misdeeds can be seen in everyday life. Just to enumerate a few:
Professional beggary on the roads of this country is increasing. Their existence on roads is not only nuisance for commuters, but also helps criminals in conducting their activities in broad day light. Laws exist to remove such people from the roads and it is well within the powers of these government servants to enforce it. What is stopping them to take action? Two reasons either their own vested interest or political pressure; or perhaps combination of both. There goes vision of Quid which he outlined in 1948.
All cities of this country are full of dangerous, unhealthy and illegal constructions. Laws exist to control such activities; yet, every day a new structure or business venture is created. Actions against such constructions are avoided for self-interest and gratification. Had service preceded self, cities of Pakistan would have been as organized as any other western country.
Traffic menace, especially major cities, is a gift of these civil servants. Administrators allow encroachments of roads by car dealers, vendors & illegal parking agents. Traffic police is not concerned about violation of traffic rules; rather lead them by example.
This elite class retire as millionaires through ill-gotten wealth and at the end these so called intellectuals become analyst and preach solutions to the problems faced by Pakistan, to which they are the major contributors.
No political government can do corruption without support of bureaucracy. They are the ones who teach them ways to do corruption and support politicians in execution of corrupt plans. If all bureaucrats work as per the vision of Quid; how many can be blacklisted by politicians. Lovers of power corridor cannot damage infrastructure of their own salvation as politicians. No doubt, difficulties will arise, but that is what will turn Quid-e-Azam’s dream into reality.
‘I tell you that you will not remain on the black list if you discharge your duties honestly, sincerely and loyally to the state. It is you who can give us the opportunity to create a powerful machinery which will give you complete sense of security.’ M A Jinnah
[1] Shahabnama 29th Edition 2005 Page 265-267
