FAISALABAD, Oct 13 (APP):Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan Tuesday called for a governance system rooted in merit, transparency, accountability and equal opportunities, emphasizing that political stability, quality education, accessible healthcare and effective public institutions were imperative for sustainable economic growth and prosperous Pakistan. Addressing an interactive session on “Good Governance: Inclusion, Diversity and Institutional Effectiveness” at The University of Faisalabad (TUF), he said that good governance must translate …
Merit, accountability imperative for good governance: PA Speaker
FAISALABAD, Oct 13 (APP):Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan Tuesday called for a governance system rooted in merit, transparency, accountability and equal opportunities, emphasizing that political stability, quality education, accessible healthcare and effective public institutions were imperative for sustainable economic growth and prosperous Pakistan.
Addressing an interactive session on “Good Governance: Inclusion, Diversity and Institutional Effectiveness” at The University of Faisalabad (TUF), he said that good governance must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives through equal opportunities, access to quality education and healthcare, protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law.
He said that merit in public appointments and administrative decisions should be governed by clear, fair and transparent criteria rather than personal preferences or the discretion of individuals. Every qualified person should have an equal opportunity to advance while those entrusted with authority must remain answerable for their decisions and use of public resources, he added.
He said that political stability was imperative for economic stability while education, healthcare and law & order must be treated as national priorities if Pakistan had to overcome its deep-rooted challenges. He said that Pakistan was confronting multiple challenges including terrorism, educational deficiencies and inadequate access to quality medical services. Addressing these issues required institutional reforms, constitutional responsibility and collective commitment from all relevant stakeholders, he added.
Highlighting the gravity of education crisis, the speaker said that approximately 25 million children in Pakistan were out of school while the dropout rate at primary level stood at around 40 percent. He further pointed out that nearly 80 percent of children did not progress to higher secondary education after matriculation. Therefore, there was dire need to strengthen education system on top priority basis and prevent students from abandoning their studies.
He said that insufficient attention to education had contributed to the country’s loss of direction in this critical sector. Reversing this trend required sustained investment and effective policies for ensuring that children remained in school and had opportunities to complete their education, he added.
He also drew attention to shortcomings in the healthcare system particularly in rural areas and small cities, and stressed that quality healthcare should not be confined to major urban centers. The institutional improvements were necessary to ensure equitable access to medical services, he added.
On security, he said that terrorism continued to pose a serious challenge and the state must confront it with determination while ensuring protection of the citizens and enforcement of the law.
Pakistan’s policing system continued to reflect colonial-era practices, highlighting the need for reforms to make law enforcement more responsive to contemporary public needs, he added.
He acknowledged that the government was making efforts to address challenges in education, healthcare and security but emphasized that sustainable progress depended on effective implementation, institutional accountability and proper allocation of resources.
Explaining the role of democratic institutions, the speaker Punjab Assembly said that elected representatives and parliament occupied a central position in a democratic system because they derived their authority from the public mandate and remained accountable to the people.
He said that parliamentary oversight was an important mechanism for evaluating government performance. In Punjab, standing committees and other parliamentary forums provided opportunities to scrutinize government decisions and departmental performance.
Examination of budgets, public expenditure and audit reports also helped strengthen accountability and ensure the responsible use of public money, he added.
He said that legislation should not be judged merely by the number of laws passed but by their implementation and practical impact.
The parliamentary committees could play a significant role in reviewing the effectiveness of laws and policies and recommending improvements to public institutions, he added.
He said that good governance required a clear relationship between authority and accountability. Elected representatives and local government institutions should have the administrative and financial powers necessary to discharge their responsibilities while those exercising such powers must be held accountable for their performance, he added.
He described public participation as a fundamental principle of good governance, saying that democracy could deliver meaningful results only when citizens’ rights were protected and public institutions remained responsive to their needs.
Emphasizing inclusive development, he said that women, religious minorities, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged communities must have meaningful representation in decision-making processes. Without their effective participation, equitable and sustainable national development would remain incomplete, he added.
He also stressed the importance of a strong local government system, referring to Article 140-A of the Constitution, which provided the constitutional framework for devolution of political, administrative and financial responsibility to elected local governments. Empowered local institutions could respond more effectively to people’s problems at the grassroots level, he added.
He welcomed students’ growing interest in governance, constitutional rights, equality and public-sector performance, describing university-level discussions as essential for developing informed and responsible citizens.
He urged young people to form opinions on national issues through credible information, research and critical analysis rather than relying on assumptions. Constructive disagreement and responsible dialogue were necessary for strengthening democratic culture and improving public policy, he added.
Referring to the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he said that human thinking and critical analytical skills risked becoming secondary in an increasingly technology-driven environment. He stressed the importance of preserving independent thought, intellectual curiosity and the capacity to examine issues critically.
He appreciated The University of Faisalabad’s “Innovative Pakistan 4.0” initiative, saying that the creativity, research and innovative potential of young people should be linked with national development.
The universities had an important responsibility to encourage informed debate and contribute research-based recommendations for legislation and public policy, he added.
Earlier, TUF Rector Prof Dr Amanullah Malik delivered welcome address and appreciated the provincial government’s initiatives to promote higher professional education and facilitate students through various programs such as the Honhaar Scholarship, Google certifications and electric-bike schemes.
TUF Patron-in-Chief Mian Muhammad Haneef, Chairman Board of Governors Dr Muhammad Haider Amin, Rector Prof Dr Amanullah Malik and other officials attended the session, during which students also interacted with the speaker in a question-answer segment.
