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The country's civil service structure is finally undergoing some changes and
you can get a measure of their significance while staying safely at home.
Thanks to the amazing innovation of webinar, we had a ringside narration of
the steps being steered by none other than Dr Ishrat Hussain, chairman of
the Task Force on Reforms. The virtual presentation was hosted earlier this
month by Dr Nadeem ul Haque, vice chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of
Development Economics – PIDE in Islamabad.
The extent of increase in the salaries and pensions of the federal services
will be determined by a new pay and pensions commission. Dr Ishrat did not
make a reference to the elephant in the room that is the IMF's demand for
capping the expenditure on pay and pensions. This objective may be
partially met by the policy of early retirement that is on the anvil. That in turn
is part of the larger reform package outlined by the speaker.
The radical aspect of the reform plan, which is already making many senior
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Dr Ishratʼs reform package 1/1/21, 3'09 PM
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Dr Ishratʼs reform package 1/1/21, 3'09 PM
yet another move, PCS officers will be given opportunities to join the PAS
through selection by the public service commission.
The host Nadeem ul Haque pointed out the continuing problem of over-
centralisation and the hold of one cadre over all others. The professionals
are treated as second class with poor prospects of advancement. Dr Ishrat
said things could change with the revival of local bodies, already planned in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. But no one knows if that would improve
matters or bring in more confusion.
Pakistan has followed the British tradition of cadre system and long-term
careers. The other pattern is followed by the US where people are appointed
to specific posts and promotions are not automatic.
While waiting for major reforms, efforts are being made to enforce Efficiency
and Discipline Rules. According to Dr Ishrat, the FBR had removed fifty of its
officers for malpractices.
Email: saeed.saeedk@gmail.com
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