Written by Naeem Sadiq
Four historic days in May 2025 will forever be etched in Pakistan’s history. These were not just days of national pride, but a turning point — a rare opportunity to redefine our identity and reimagine our future. Should we not cherish this ‘rebirth’ as a foundation for building a new, reformed, and forward-looking Pakistan?
It would be a significant mistake to overlook the significance of these events or to fail in applying their underlying principles across all institutions of the country. These days have reminded us of a crucial truth: nations are not built on cynicism, hatred, hollow speeches, or self-serving narratives.
Instead, they are built on vision, professionalism, technological advancement, discipline, continuous learning, and skill development. They are sustained by strong systems and institutions, not by individuals or age-old slogans.
Consider this: in one province, we changed 24 Inspectors General of Police over 20 years — yet the performance of the police remained stagnant. Why? Because we swapped faces, not systems. Our national discourse often centres on corruption and incompetence, but it largely ignores the need for substantive, evidence-based, and professionally grounded reform.
It was our armed forces that made us stand tall and proud during this defining moment. They demonstrated how history can be reshaped through professionalism, strong institutional frameworks, a commitment to learning, digitalisation, meritocracy, rigorous training, and unwavering courage.
The Demand for Efficiency and Excellence Nationwide
This success compels us to ask a fundamental question: Why can’t these principles be applied across all government entities — from ministries and commissions to police, railways, WAPDA, steel mills, EOBI, FBR, Pakistan Post, schools, hospitals, and municipalities?
Why do we continue to accept dysfunctional bureaucracies and outdated systems, rather than demanding similar standards of efficiency and excellence from every public institution? This is the moment to reflect and to act.
We must seize this window of opportunity to initiate widespread reforms and push for institutional performance that meets global standards. The path forward begins with humility, simplicity, and austerity.
End wasteful spending on ceremonial events, self-promotional banners, luxury vehicles, and helicopter rides funded by taxpayers. We need to focus on systemic reform by downsizing government departments, integrating digital technology, and eliminating outdated practices like physical files and favouritism.
Each department must be held accountable to clear, measurable goals within set timelines. Technology should be at the heart of governance, particularly in healthcare, education, municipal services, data management, and public service delivery.
Robust Systems are the True Engines of Change
Replace multi-layered bureaucratic processes with transparent, digitized systems to curb corruption, reduce delays, and improve citizen experiences. Make it possible for every citizen to complete transactions with the government — from payments to documentation — through digital platforms such as bank or mobile apps. Focus governance on merit, training, reforms, and digitization.
We must also put an end to the culture of appointing friends, family members, and political allies to senior roles in public organisations. This has transformed state institutions into havens for opportunism rather than service.
The criteria for leadership must be redefined to prioritise humanity, discipline, ethics, public service, and digital proficiency — qualities currently overlooked.
While the challenge of transforming an entrenched, underperforming, and digitally illiterate bureaucracy is immense, it is a task that must be undertaken with urgency. A manager’s first duty is not to harm; the second is to create value.
Ultimately, any reform agenda will be meaningless unless it uplifts those who are marginalised by society — the sanitation workers, coal miners, railway porters, factory labourers, and security guards who keep the country running.
Real equity demands that we dismantle the unjust privileges enjoyed by elites and instead ensure a living wage and pensions for our ordinary citizens.
We stand at a crossroads. This is a unique and powerful moment to transform Pakistan. Let us not let it pass. Let us capture it — and change the course of our history forever.
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