By Israruddin Israr
The bureaucratic system in Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the obsolete systems in the country. Among thousands of government employees under BPS 14, the majority have not gone through any professional training. They execute their professional duties with the same behavior they learned at home and from society informally. Ironically, such an attitude and behavior cannot be helpful when it comes to the demonstration of professional or workplace ethics.
In the case of Gilgit-Baltistan, the unprofessional outer appearance, body language and treatment of common people by the government servants is painful. The majority of the offices cast an image of ghost bungalows. Similarly, in many of government offices, basic cleanliness is not taken care of.
If you visit the government office during winter, an undesirable odor will welcome you. You will also witness a good number of snuff balls thrown everywhere. On the contrary, the offices of public servants of higher grades, i.e., above BPS 16 look fantastic (lash pash). However, there is this very problem of attitude.
In the case of lower-grade public servants, the overall atmosphere is indescribable. Any gentlemen visiting these offices would experience mental depression. Women avoid visiting these offices to get any official work done because of the unconducive environment. The condition of tehsils and police stations is even more miserable.
It is a common observation that majority of the government employees are more concerned about TADA, allowances, salary increments, transfer, and promotion than their work. Most of their time is spent talking and thinking about the above-mentioned privileges
Israruddin Israr
It would not be an exaggeration to say the overall system in place is corrupt and chaotic. A new trend has set in outside or in the premises of these offices nowadays. They rob people by luring them into giving money under the false assurances of getting their work. Complaints of such incidents have come to light in Gilgit tehsil. Other places including the offices of the lower courts are not prone to such elements and operate without any fear.
This system of public sector offices in Gilgit-Baltistan is more corrupt than it was during the British Raj. People at least feared the British for violating law then. In my own memory, the system was comparatively better. Now it has deteriorated and the deterioration does not seem to see any end.
The government employees believe all is well. For them, bureaucratic government system across the world operates in the same way. They believe they are contributing to the development of the country. Most importantly, they think they are more intelligent people as they have government jobs. Similarly, many consider themselves to be modern-day Socrates. However, the common people know very well that the system is rotting from within and causing decay in the whole society.
Such a government office system can only be found in very poor, corrupt, or war-torn countries. Leaving aside the example of the developed West, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, and many other Islamic countries have implemented a modern government office system where people receive sensitive documents like passports online at home. These countries have simplified their office system so much that there you will not see people in queues outside offices. In our case, poor, indigent, and elderly men and women stand in a queue in cold and heat with thirst and hunger-stricken all day to get BISP money or pension and their self-esteem is hurt moment by moment.
The bureaucrats in Gilgit-Baltistan believe they are contributing to the development of the country. Most importantly, they think they are more intelligent people as they have government jobs.
Israruddin Israr
On a daily basis, thousands of citizens wait in queues for a chance to get their work done. However, after hours of waiting, they are told in a rude tone to come on the next day as the saap (officer) is in a meeting. Similarly, people from far-flung areas visiting government offices in district headquarters/provincial capital after a long journey go through the same experience. They are forced to stay at hotels and visit the office the next day. In the end, they return to their home empty pocketed without any work done at the office.
Along with a lack of basic professional skills, the system is plagued with corruption. Inhuman attitude, sectarian mindset, and numerous social evils. In the face of this all, the government is least bothered to bring about any change in the system. The lower-level employees and higher government officials are also reluctant to accept any change as they benefit from the status quo. Moreover, these public servants do not have the required skills to make a difference for the better. Nor are they exposed to any professional training, courses, or classes on a periodic basis create awareness about their professional responsibilities. They just pass the time at the offices considering their government job as a gift of fate.
It is a common observation that majority of the government employees are more concerned about TADA, allowances, salary increments, transfer, and promotion than their work. Most of their time is spent talking and thinking about the above-mentioned privileges. The employees cannot be blamed for this approach solely, the policymakers makers are responsible for this state of affairs as they think more about their interests than the country. This is the reason why non-development expenditure is twice the development budget in Gilgit-Baltistan.
This system of public sector offices in Gilgit-Baltistan is more corrupt than it was during the British Raj. People at least feared the British for violating law then.
Israruddin Israr
This is high time to act and put the system on the right track. Otherwise, the system will meet its natural death soon or later. Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohyuddin Wani has gained a lot of fame in social media because of his efforts to reform the education and health sectors along with the police department. If CS really wants to make a change, he should change the government office system of Gilgit-Baltistan. Given the size of G-B, chief secretary G-B has an opportunity to take steps for a true transformation of the public sector.
The Chief Secretary of G-B should: develop a public sector office system on modern lines with the help of experts; ensure training of all public servants including the police on modern lines; emphasize the promotion of a humanitarian environment workplace and police stations; bring one window system in tehsil and other offices and eliminate gender discrimination.
Likewise, he should introduce the best cleaning system in government offices and improve the attitudes and morals of government employees. Similarly, he should ensure the supremacy of merit, create a system of civil intelligence within government institutions and punish all government employees by paying wise attention.
Moreover, to improve governance in G-B, the chief secretary will have to pay attention to developing a concrete plan to: reduce unnecessary expenditure through a centrally controlled computerized system, make employees accountable for their performance and attendance and ensure the observance of basic human rights.
Without such a plan, any effort being made will prove unsustainable and temporary without any long-term impact.
The writer is a Gilgit-based human rights activist and columnist. Currently, he is associated with HRCP as regional coordinator Gilgit-Baltitsan. He can be reached at israrhrcpglt@gmail.com