Attempt at obstructing justice and ridiculing the masses by abusing democracy is simply not acceptable. Conduct unbecoming of impor tant political figures and office holders in government must be given up. Now that details of the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the NRO are available, the government should respect the verdict and go ahead with the implementation process lest a situation of institutional confrontation crops up and leads to instability. Stability of the State of Pakistan should be the top priority in the face of internal and external threats, specially, in the context of War on Terror; Indias unfriendly attitude towards Pakistan; and the situation on Pakistans borders. The Pakistani leadership should be seriously concerned about these developments. Zardari should demonstrate that he is above party-politics and that whatever he does and wherever he goes he conducts himself as President of Pakistan, representing all Pakistanis whether or not they belong to the PPP. The right thinking elements, who want to convert Pakistans weaknesses into strengths and threats into opportunity, simply wish him to change his style and think of Pakistan as an 'integrated whole. Political reconciliation is important but a culture free of corruption is also vital for a way forward and moral base of administration. Accepting the SC decision, the government should openly recognise the importance and need for greater judicial review and control. A plain, simple and prompt judicial remedy should be available for every legal wrong resulting from administrative action. Remedies by way of judicial review may not be as satisfactory to the sections adversely affected. But much good can be achieved by keeping the doors open to a reasonably wide scope of judicial redress. Such review serves not only to correct administrative errors and oversights but also to create a restraining influence. The guiding principle is that administrative discretion can only be exercised within the framework of laws provided by the legislature and under the principle set for by the SC. No man in the country is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law at defiance with impunity. All officers of the government from the highest to the lowest are the creatures of the law and are bound to obey it. Those who accept office have to observe the limitations, which it imposes upon the exercise of authority that it gives. The courts may have the ultimate responsibility of holding the executive branch within the proper legislative restrictions imposed by the legislature. But that responsibility can only be preformed where the legislature likewise provides for definite and adequate judicial review of administrative action. According to experts, judicial review should always be available to one who in good faith asserts a legal wrong resulting from administrative action. Parliament can best leave to the courts themselves to decide whether a particular controversy is one which falls within the proper sphere of judicial action. The proper balance of legislative, executive, and judicial functions has to be assured for the maximum protection of individual rights and interests. It might appear that the judiciary in Pakistan has assumed a role that is different from what it has been doing in the past. However, the new role, which intends curbing tendencies to obstruct justice, must find support from all quarters. All pillars of the government must function with the sole objective of the good of the people and safeguarding national interest. It requires understanding and cooperation which can ultimately lead to good governance. Good governance means a way forward; institution building; improving delivery system for catering to the needs of the people; improving Pakistans image, and preparing the nation to successfully confront all internal and external challenges. Compatible with its external environment, Pakistan needs an enabling political culture reflecting on democratic values of tolerance and intent to act responsibly. The needed political culture will facilitate stability as well as growth and dispensation of justice. Democracy is the essence of national reconciliation. The courts verdict on NRO must be respected to make all that possible. The ideal expected scenario resulting from a strong political culture and judicial controls will revitalise the executive and the legislature thus leading to true democracy, equity, rule of law, moral administration and constitutionality. The writer is former director, NIPA Email: iftahmad786@hotmail.comt.