CHITRAL: Local Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf leader retired wing commander Fardad Ali Shah on Thursday proposed a new system of governance in the country and said `meritocracy` was panacea for the country`s all political and socioeconomic issues.

He told a news conference here that the failure of democracy to deliver had caused the country`s breakup and that politicians were to blame for the people`s misery and rampant corruption.

`The slogan of democracy in the country has proved a totalfarce. This sham system as it exists today has paved the way for the degeneration of institutions, rampancy of corruption,exploitation of the poor people, invitation to the unholy military interventions, and promotion of disillusionment and despondency,` he said.

Elaborating on `meritocracy`, Mr Shah said under the proposed system of governance, no elections would be held, while public representatives from the president down to the councillors would be selected through the competitive examinations especially designed for each position.

`In this way, equal opportunity is provided to everyone regardless ofhis or her financial position or association with a political party,` he said.

The PTIleadersaidin the proposedsystem, all requirements for job to the extent of including personality tests, psychological tests, scrutinising the traits of loyalty and honesty were also put to scrutiny.

`The new system will revolutionise the way we view things in the present corrupt system as the rule of merit will trickle down to the lowest level and bring about revolutionary development in all institutions,` he said.

Mr Shah said as education and capability would be the sole criteria to clinch the highest office in the country, all including the poorest would pay full attention to the education and grooming of their children. Correspondent