Saturday, December 14, 2013

No change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , at all

Uncertainty prevails on the results of action taken by the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
People read and hear of laws drafted, postings and transfers made and actions taken against corrupt officials and criminals but the positive results of these actions are nowhere to be seen. People are not sure whether the KP government is just going through motions or will they see the changes promised by PTI.
The head of the biggest hospital in the province was changed just on Saturday after he had served only for two months. In other government hospital the changes seems to be getting new chiefs. Nobody has objected to any particular posting and transfer in the provincial government; however, the frequency of changes on top posts is worrisome. The quick recurrence of removal of secretaries' from one ministry to another has become a common feature of the provincial government; no department, in spite of that, is showing any improvement.
Police officials are fired, suspended but the illegalities of the law enforcement personnel continue and with as much intensity.
Nobody is objecting to the removal of these corrupt cops but the people want improvement not just punishments for the sake of punishments. Serving for a couple of months of appointees on their top positions has become the norm. It raises the question whether any serious consideration is given to the past record, qualifications and personal traits of those posted or transferred before the changes are made.
The frequency of these instances would suggest that with the PTI government it is a hit or miss situation. The KPK government probably thinks it will ultimately find the right man for the right job after a few inappropriate placements. In more than one ways, the uncertainty shrouding the frequent orders for reshuffling in the top bureaucracy and choosing of professionals to high positions is understandable; It takes time to form a reliable team to one's liking. It, however, should not take more than a month.
The PTI government is now over six months old. By now it should have been able to make things visibly better just through administrative measures. While most of the members of the KP cabinet are new to the job, Chief Minister Parvez Khattak and Senior Minister Siraj ul Haq are experienced and should have been able to guide the team of ministers.
Two aspects, it seems, are missing in the PTI government. First, the PTI cabinet, it seems, doesn't investigate the candidates' past thoroughly before putting anyone of them on any particular post. Second, the ministers rarely go to the field to check the progress made by the individuals appointed on high positions.
The people of KP, nevertheless, want positive changes and these are what they are not getting. The ruling party and its allies should rethink their strategy to cater to the wishes of the people; instead of sticking to the corporate method of running government.

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