ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Shafqat Mehmood on Wednesday announced measurestaken by the incumbent government on civil reforms.
In his election campaign, the PTI chief had pledged to bring aboutwide-ranging reforms in the system and introduce a system of internalaccountability to encourage competent officials and weed out inefficientpeople. Less than a month after assuming premiership, Imran Khan set up atask force to revamp bureaucracy.
The Civil Service has seen many reforms and the incumbent government’sefforts will be another step to transform the service, ensuring that thebest officers reach the top slots who were dedicated to service.
Today, the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, whoalso heads the Cabinet Committee on Institutional Reforms, addressed apress conference on the measures taken by PM Imran Khan for civil servicereforms designed to improve governance.
Mehmood said the government has introduced reforms in promotion, prematureretirement, efficiency and discipline, appointment in MP scale, rotation;and strength of Pakistan Administrative Service.
A quick look at the reforms:
Promotion: this will depend on a process involving a 40% share of AnnualConfidential Reports, 30% of training, and 30% from board evaluation. Thepromotion of an official facing a reference will be deferred.
Premature retirement: Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) chairmanwill decide the cases from BS-20 while the decisions from scales 17 to 19will be taken by the secretary and up to 16th scale by a senior jointsecretary.
Three below average or average ACRs can serve a ground for prematureretirement of an official while the plea bargain option availed by anofficial can also provide ground for retirement.
Amendments in Efficiency and Discipline rules: An inquiry committee willgive its decision in 60 days, and the authority will take the decision ofpunishment in 30 days. Disciplinary action may also be taken against theperson availing plea bargain option in a case. Multiple inquires against anofficial will be clubbed.
Appointment in MP scale: The period has been increased from two to threeyears, and it can be further extended. A post on the MP scale can bepublicised and a suitable person can also be picked from the market.
Rotation: No officer can stay in provinces beyond 10 years. The promotionhas also been linked to a rotation policy.
Pakistan Administrative Service: the strength has also been decreased.