Quetta ´ Youth of Balochistan hold the key to the social accountability of politicians and ensuring rule of law. The role of youth for community-driven monitoring of public sector organizations is equally crucial for better social service delivery and good governance. These were some of the thoughts that came under discussion in an interactive session of Balochistan University students and civil society representatives atthe Social Work Department on Thursday.
The session was part of the series of Balochistan Youth Forum activities that the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is currently holding in various parts of Balochistan with the support of CIDA.The objective of the BYF is to promote the spirit of democratic dialogue and allow the Baloch youth to ventilate their grievances. The second phaseof the BYF will take selected Baloch youth to Islamabad and other cities of Pakistan for interaction with students of various universities and politicians.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Gul, political analyst and CRSS chief executive, said that ‘future leaders’ were the key to socio-economic development and the badly needed democratic transition.
‘Elections and governments resulting from this exercise are just a means for securing social, economic rights as well as political emancipation. You can get closer to the end goal of equal fundamental rights for all only through continuation of this exercise,’ Gul explained, citing the example ofIreland, where the Irish Republican Party had to create a political wing for negotiations with the UK government.
Political groups can, however, become the instruments of change only if they act according to the constitutional framework anduphold the fundamentals of rule of law, Gul said.
‘The ultimate check on political parties is the people themselves. Unless they collectively make their representatives and governance institutions accountable the dream for an equal-for-all and inclusive democracy would remain elusive,’ Gul explained. The pressure for merit, rule of law and service delivery must come from the bottom.
Dr.Masood Joegezai, a renowned doctor and the technical focal person for the Melinda-Gates Foundation funded Polio vaccination programme in Balochistan, also addressed the curious students, highlighting hisown experience with various tiers of governance and bureaucracy. He, too, emphasized that without ‘community engagement issues such as the deadly polio virus or governance and service delivery can never improve.
Dr.Jogezai also underlined the need for public accountability of MPs and government departments through the electorate. Youth can in particular take the lead role in creating clusters and watchdogs for the accountability of their representatives and the government machinery. He also urged the students to enlighten rural communities on the hazards that can ensue from refusal to polio drops. Recurrence of polio in Balochistan Pashtoon areas must be of concern to every single citizen and the entire society must work to raise awareness on this issue. This is bringing bad name to Pakistan and will result in even more restrictions on Pakistanis traveling abroad, warned Dr.Jogezai.
While welcoming the guests, chairperson of the Social Work Department Prof.Tahiratold the students that the CRSS message for rule of law, inclusive democracy and tolerance for conflicting views was very much in synch with what they were studying in theory as part of the social sciences.Such exchange of views, she said, was extremely useful for sensitizing the students on the need for practicing their theoretical knowledge. Community engagements means putting into practice the class-room knowledge and guiding the community, she underscored. Ms Tahira also appreciate CRSS and Dr.Jogezai for exposing the youth to critical thoughts as well as inculcating in them awareness about pressing social issues such as the absolutely critical need for polio immunization to protect future generations from physical disabilities.
Students later asked several critical questions, which reflected how the Baloch and Pashtoon youth remain skeptical about the present political system and uncertain about their future.