Over the last few years, the terms ‘good governance’ and ‘civil society’ have been frequently used and misused in the context of public administration for socio-economic development despite a strong relationship between good governance, civil society and social development.

International funding agencies finance developing countries to reform and improve their governance, for malfunctioning of governments is the core reason of socio-economic deterioration in these countries.

In Pakistan, the socio-economic indicators have been far from satisfactory. Although, the macro economic indicators, getting better till 2006, are worsening sharply and at the micro level, things are getting still worse. The poverty rate which decreased from 33 to 27 per cent in 2005 has again surged to over 44 per cent of the population including 28 per cent living in abject poverty.

Pakistan is ranked 147th for its health index in the world. It is at the bottom just leaving behind Nepal in South Asia. The other indicators, such as school dropouts, infant/child mortality and gender imbalances, are not satisfactory.

The business community is worried about every thing – banks’ spreads, utilities charges, power outages, law and order; taxation policies, etc. The roots of malice can be traced in the authoritarian style of management.

To quote UNCR “Governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights. This must be accomplished in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law”.

There are many critical factors, which need to be identified as a deterrent for the good governance such as, feudalism, military interferences in governance, intolerance, corruption, donor dependence, and, above all, the absence of a strong civil society. Good governance seems a far cry.

While these impediments are deep rooted, it would not be prudent to expect from newly-elected government to root out the evils accumulated over decades overnight. But the government can initiate a process of change by strengthening the feeble and suppressed civil society.

A dynamic and vibrant civil society can play its due role for creating socio-political awareness, supporting people’s micro level economic activities, developing a just society, ensuring the rule of law, by acting as a facilitator to the governments and also as a watch dog for governments’ conducts.

Scholars Salmon and Anheir are of the view that a civil society is an equilibrium relationship among the three actors – state, business and citizens’ associations. It is generally perceived that good governance is the supreme task of government alone while the reality is that the good governance is a joint responsibility of various actors – government, business and civil society – of course, with their different roles.

The ideal governance is characterised by participation, consensus, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, equitability and rule of law; there is a need to realise these ideals for good governance.

Although democracy is the best form of government so far, it does not necessarily mean that the voices of the disadvantaged groups would be considered in the national policy making as it has been proved repeatedly. Diversified opinions are mediated in society to develop consensus on what is practical, beneficial and in the larger interest. For good governance, accountability of the powerful individuals and institutions is a must. Accountability must be across the board, be it is public officials, business tycoons or individuals from civil society organizations to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. For indiscriminate accountability process, a transparent and vibrant judicial system is necessary.

The civil society organisations have proved their ability to play a crucial role in facilitating and monitoring the governments in their initiatives for public good as these organisations are secular by nature and have the agenda of social development across the world.

Along with government, other actors involved in governance at the local level include local governments at the grassroots levels, associations of farmers and labourers, cooperatives, NGOs/CBOs, religious leaders, economic institutions, political activists etc. Universities, research institutions, multi-national corporations, media, international donors, etc, at the national level influence the policy making process. All these activists and institutions are civil society organisations excluding government and government machineries.

Good governance ensures that the people at large have a stake in the affairs of the state and do not feel excluded from the mainstream.