The 52nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 18, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Accountability to Strengthen Democracy and Governance”.
The guests on show, Mr. Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Technology, and Lehaz Ali, a senior journalist, were of the view that good governance and indiscriminate accountability are the two important components of an efficient democracy and ultimately lead to peace and cohesion.
Mr. Kamran Bangash noted that democracy has three key pillars including accountability, rule of law and public participation. He emphasized that across the board accountability is the most important ingredient of democracy.
The departments mandated to uphold the accountability mechanisms like accountability bureau and different commissions and bodies should be truly independent and non-partisan. The best ever form of governance is the accountable governance. Only by adherence to rule of law and equal application of law on everyone, can democracy be nurtured and strengthened. The self-accountability is as important as the other mechanisms for good governance in democracy. Not only the public representatives but the society at large needs to be sensitized on the virtues of self-accountability.
The second guest on show, Mr. Lehaz Ali noted that accountability is part of good governance. Accountability comes with the empowerment. He elaborated that unless people are provided the fundamental rights available to them in the constitution, it will be futile to start accountability. The media should resort to promoting the accountability and other democratic practices rather than sensationalism.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.