KARACHI, Feb 7: Good governance and the rule of law are of fundamental importance for Pakistan to develop as a nation and become part of the developed world. It is not the job of a government alone to bring about good governance, but every individual has to strive for this by playing his active role in rooting out corruption from society.

These views were expressed by scholars and intellectuals from a cross section of society at a seminar on “Good governance and Rule of Law” organised by the Transparency International Pakistan here on Thursday.

Former judge of the Sindh High Court Justice Dr Ghous Muhammad was the chief guest.

The speakers included Mr Wajid Jawad, Chairman of the Financial Post, Prof Mansoor Kundi, Dean of the Balochistan University’s English Department, Dr Tanvir Khalid of the Karachi University’s Political Science Department, Dr Moonis Ahmar, Chairman of the Karachi University’s International Relations Department, and Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman of the Transparency International Pakistan.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Justice Ghous Muhammad said that the foundation of Pakistan was based on the rule of law embodied in the Article 4 of the constitution. In order to bring about good governance, it is necessary that each and every institution of the country is governed by the laws, and not by the whims and moods of individuals, he stressed.

“One of the prerequisites of good governance is a strong and effective democratic setup supported by popular legitimacy,” he said, urging the masses to use their right to franchise so that the country could once again be ruled by an elected government. “When there is martial law, there is no law, but when there is law, there is no martial law,” he said.

The former judge termed corruption a serious challenge to good governance, and said “in a sense it defines the quality of governance since it is the political and economic institutions that give shape to it.”

Dr Moonis Ahmar felt that good governance and the rule of law could only be implemented fully when work ethics were inculcated in students at the academic level. He cited the example of the West where work ethics were in place mainly because of their introduction to students.

Defining work ethics as a process in which a nation is able to perform duties in a best possible manner, he said that “it is a code of conduct which also includes performing duties in a professional way.”

“Practices such as punctuality, responsibility, character building, teamwork and productivity are all very important factors of work ethics,” he said. Dr Ahmar drew linkages between the rule of law and work ethics, and observed: “Unfortunately, those who violate the law most are those who are supposed to uphold it; courtesy the lack of accountability.”

Discussing a number of fault lines, Dr Ahmar said: “We live in a culture of irresponsibility where the media has also failed to play its role effectively; and this has led to a state where mediocrity is encouraged and merit is ignored. It is not the fault of the government; the power structure of Pakistan breeds corruption,” he said, apprehending: “Whosoever comes into power now will do exactly the same.”

Unless the system becomes transparent, Pakistan will continue to remain a failed state, Dr Ahmar warned, and said that the ideal solution was to invest in the youth so that the masses could reap the rewards after a couple of decades.

Syed Adil Gilani observed that the country had long been suffering because of being in the hands of corrupt rulers. Had the judiciary played its due role effectively in the early phase of the country’s history, the situation would have been different now, he said.