CHITRAL: A hot debate is going on in Pakistan about changing the existing system of governance. Whereas it is generally believed that a Presidential form of government is more efficient compared to a parliamentary democratic system as seen world over, but in Pakistan there is something more important than the system of government – the mindset of people who are administering the system.
History tells us that any sytem of government, whether it be a democracy, monarchy or even an autocracy, can inherently guarantee success or failure. History also has repeatedly shown that supposedly flawed systems can deliver stability and progress when run with integrity, while the most ideal democratic models can fail miserably under corrupt leadership. Any system, no matter how beautifully designed on paper, is only as good as the honesty of the people managing it.
The real issue in Pakistan lies in a deeply ingrained mindset that prioritizes personal gain, nepotic shortcuts, and self-serving power over merit, rule of law, and justice. When leaders at the top operate with an attitude that rules are meant to be bypassed, even a system engineered in heaven would crumble.
Instead of constantly clamoring to invent a new system, the focus should shift toward fostering a culture of honest implementation and establishing a fierce, independent mechanism of accountability, stretching all the way down to the local district level.
Real, lasting change will not come from swapping out the rules of the game, but from changing the mindset of those who play it. .. CN report, 01 Aug 2026
3 thoughts on “Change the mindset before changing the system”
I agree. I would further narrow it down to ‘honesty’- everything else including merit, rule of law etc. is a by product. If people are honest, a system even without any formal document/constitution can succeed (UK operates without a written constitution).
Pakistan has the most elaborate constitution, yet people look for loop holes and they still manage to find them. If your target is to find loop holes then you will always succeed, no amount of written document can stop it
An insightful and thought-provoking article. True and lasting reform begins with individuals, not just institutions. No system can produce good results unless it is supported by people who value honesty, integrity, accountability, and merit. Changing our mindset, attitudes, and moral values is the foundation of meaningful national progress. Thank you to the author for highlighting this important truth and encouraging us to look within before demanding change from others.
Expecting honesty, integrity and selflessness from those managing the system is like expecting the sun to rise from the west. The only way is to device a completely new system which makes it difficult for the wrong doers to do their wrong doing. Earler, admission to professional colleges like the medical college etc was decided on the basis of marks obtained in FSc examinations, but the FSc exam results started getting manipulated. Then God sent the computerised entry test to check the crime and the result showed itself. Similarly a system in the form of ‘Meritocracy’ is needed where it will be difficult if not impossible, for the wrong doers to do their bit.
Adding few more provinces in the system will be like taking out buckets of water from a stinking well while the corpse of the dead dog still lies at the bottom.
www.chitralnews.com/Meritocracy