It is so deplorable that our mainstream political party leaders including those of the PPP, PMLN, PMLQ, ANP and JUI(F) have had the courage to ask the governments in NWFP and the Centre as to what plans had been drawn for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons, now estimated at one million, from the territories where military operation is going on to weed out militants. The federal and the provincial governments should have had drawn plans for the evacuation and settlement of civilians BEFORE ordering military operation in the affected areas.
On behalf of the Good Governance Forum and on my own behalf, I demand establishment of a Judicial Commission on Insurgency comprising the Chief Justices of the four High Courts and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to inquire into the causes of the insurgency, loss of lives and property of the people of the affected areas, responsibility of the political governments in the whole affair, punishment for those who failed to discharge their moral, legal and constitutional obligations and compensation for all affectees as well as the infrastructure of the affected territories.
I sincerely urge all network members to join hands in demanding the truth, role of political parties and fixation of responsibility for the ongoing debacle. The media MUST also play its role in preventing disintegration of the country at the hands of the civilian politicians.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 9, 2009 2:44 PM
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Revamping the bureaucracy: Whose job is it?
The competence, character and commitment of our civilian bureaucracy has been declining since the regime of Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The Administrative Reforms of the Bhutto era amalgamating all services into an unified cadre was the first critical blow to the power-base of the civil servants. It was probably done to diminsh the power of the elite of the Civil Service of Pakistan or CSP officers who were known to exercise the powers next to none. Next and fatal blow was inflicted by the National Reconstruction Bureau's wizard under the former president Pervez Musharraf who attempted to neutralize the power of the former CSPs by changing their designations and the nature of functions and authority while strengthening the Police Service of Pakistan or police officers to the detriment of the district administration and district nazim. NRB pregnated the conception of the district nazims, district police officers, and district coordination officers without realizing the ground realities and the competence level of each echelon of the hierarchy.
Over the past 10 years, our federal ministries and divisions swelled to abnormal proportions making it inevitable to hire more federal secretaries to head each division whereas only one secy used to head a ministry having two or three divisions or more. Today, I am told, we are seriously short of officers of grade 20 and above. As a result, junior officers are officiating in senior positions. I wonder how the federal government is going to make up for the shortfall without compromising on the quality of work and the performance of the civil servants.
Over the past 10 years in particular, the military government installed military officers, active as well as retired, in civilian positions, thus creating feelings of jealously and bitterness between the civilian and military officers and denying the right of promotion to the civilian officers.
As the situation stands today, there is an urgent need of revamping the bureaucracy from the bottom up at a fast pace. Every step needs to be done on merit, absolute merit. The service record of all the federal civil servants needs to be computerized, career path to be defined, annual confidential report to be redesigned and reinforced, and selection boards to be reconstituted and the methods of judging the suitability of a civil servant for promotion to the next higher grade made transparent, authentic and scientific, thus eliminating personal liking and disliking, biases or prejudices.
All officers of the Central Superior Services should be promoted from one grade to the other within 5 years, subject to the prescribed conditionalities to be clearly defined and enforced for all. The salaries and perks of all the grades should be thoroughly reviewed and made compatible with the required standard of living of the respective officers. The officers should be provided with adequate transport, housing, medical care, education facilities and loans for special occasions so that the temptation to draw upon corrupt practices is minimized. At many places, the district field officers are provided with huge bungalows which need to be squeezed and the extra land to be used for building more houses and apartments. Likewise, in cities and towns, the government should build houses and apartments for civil servants or arrange such accommodation on installment basis from private developers. Similarly, the cars can be arranged on installments from private banks and leasing companies. The medical care can be arranged through insurance companies.
All appointments, postings, and promotions MUST be done on merit and merit alone and lateral entry MUST be banned. Active or retired servicemen MUST not be hired for civilian positions except through the federal public service commission under the prescribed quota for the armed forces.
There MUST be accountability of all civil servants who abuse their powers for their personal benefit or for the benefit of their benefactors. There MUST be clearly-laid down procedure and forum for the accountability of each and every public servant who is accused of irregularities, illegalities, corruption and maladministration. There MUST be departmental setup as well as judicial setup for the accountability of all the civil servants.
Last but not the least, de-politicization of the bureaucracy is a MUST and the sooner it is done, the better it is for the country. All civil servants must be given firm postings of two to three years, opportunity to perform within the rules, and rise on merit and merit alone. The whimsical transfers, suspensions and OSDs MUST be stopped forthwith at all levels.
Whose job is it?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 13, 2009 5:09 PM
Over the past 10 years, our federal ministries and divisions swelled to abnormal proportions making it inevitable to hire more federal secretaries to head each division whereas only one secy used to head a ministry having two or three divisions or more. Today, I am told, we are seriously short of officers of grade 20 and above. As a result, junior officers are officiating in senior positions. I wonder how the federal government is going to make up for the shortfall without compromising on the quality of work and the performance of the civil servants.
Over the past 10 years in particular, the military government installed military officers, active as well as retired, in civilian positions, thus creating feelings of jealously and bitterness between the civilian and military officers and denying the right of promotion to the civilian officers.
As the situation stands today, there is an urgent need of revamping the bureaucracy from the bottom up at a fast pace. Every step needs to be done on merit, absolute merit. The service record of all the federal civil servants needs to be computerized, career path to be defined, annual confidential report to be redesigned and reinforced, and selection boards to be reconstituted and the methods of judging the suitability of a civil servant for promotion to the next higher grade made transparent, authentic and scientific, thus eliminating personal liking and disliking, biases or prejudices.
All officers of the Central Superior Services should be promoted from one grade to the other within 5 years, subject to the prescribed conditionalities to be clearly defined and enforced for all. The salaries and perks of all the grades should be thoroughly reviewed and made compatible with the required standard of living of the respective officers. The officers should be provided with adequate transport, housing, medical care, education facilities and loans for special occasions so that the temptation to draw upon corrupt practices is minimized. At many places, the district field officers are provided with huge bungalows which need to be squeezed and the extra land to be used for building more houses and apartments. Likewise, in cities and towns, the government should build houses and apartments for civil servants or arrange such accommodation on installment basis from private developers. Similarly, the cars can be arranged on installments from private banks and leasing companies. The medical care can be arranged through insurance companies.
All appointments, postings, and promotions MUST be done on merit and merit alone and lateral entry MUST be banned. Active or retired servicemen MUST not be hired for civilian positions except through the federal public service commission under the prescribed quota for the armed forces.
There MUST be accountability of all civil servants who abuse their powers for their personal benefit or for the benefit of their benefactors. There MUST be clearly-laid down procedure and forum for the accountability of each and every public servant who is accused of irregularities, illegalities, corruption and maladministration. There MUST be departmental setup as well as judicial setup for the accountability of all the civil servants.
Last but not the least, de-politicization of the bureaucracy is a MUST and the sooner it is done, the better it is for the country. All civil servants must be given firm postings of two to three years, opportunity to perform within the rules, and rise on merit and merit alone. The whimsical transfers, suspensions and OSDs MUST be stopped forthwith at all levels.
Whose job is it?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 13, 2009 5:09 PM
Pakistan is heading towards another debacle???
Way back in the 60's when I was studying in class X at Rangmahal Mission High School, Lahore, earlier known as the Forman Mission High School, my father used to take me along on his visits to Karmanwala, a small place near Okara, on Sundays. There, we used to spend time with Hazrat Ismail Shah sahib, popularly known as Hazrat Karmanwala. He often said to my father in Punjabi that I will be very 'parhakoo' (learned). I was'nt 'parhakoo' at that time and so did'nt take his comment seriously. Shah sahib was, undoubtedly, a Wali Allah and one could feel it right there in his presence. Monthly 'Shama' Lahore, a very popular magazine of the time, used to publish personal experiences of the visitors to Karmanwala.
Hazrat's prophecy came true as the time passed and I became a passionate reader and writer. From reading to writing had been a long but pleasant journey, opening up the windows of my intellect, intelligence, and intuition. As I understand it, knowledge is 'roshni' that guides one to research, analyse and interpret the phenomena around us. At the same time, it makes you more sensitive, more human and more concerned when the events around you become enigmatic or unbearable and those who could change the course of events are found to be insensitive to the human suffering, national interests and global perspective.
The game that is being played shall have a tragic end unless Almighty Allah steps in and saves our country and its people. As far as the human endeavour is concerned, we are all set for a disaster of unimaginable and unmanageable magnitude.
Today, as I see it, there is a pyramid of power in place. At the top lies the US and the West and at the bottom is the politicians in one corner and the military in the other one. In our country, there has always been mistrust, misunderstanding and misjudgement between the politicians and the military. At the same time, both looked upto the US and the West for guidance and support.
In my humble opinion, the US has one-point agenda in the region i.e. to establish a pro-America government in Afghanistan. All the military might could'nt accomplish this task over the past 8 years. Taliban, warlords and the Northern Alliance rule most part of the country and only a small portion is being ruled by Hamid Karzai government in Kabul. It is my gut feeling that the US believes that the ISI can help establish US-sponsored govt in Kabul, duly supported by Taliban and others. The US also believes that the ISI is not helping its cause; rather the ISI officials, present or past, are helping the Taliban against the US and Nato. The ongoing insurgency is nothing but a ploy to pressurize the government and the military in Pakistan to help the US realize its agenda, I presume.
The physical presence of the US and the Nato forces in the region is hardly palatable for other players such as China, Russia, and Iran. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is in a fix. It cant possibly go against the wishes of its neighbours and friends. At the same time, Pakistan cannot trust the US because of the past history when the US never came to its help vis-a-vis India. The ongoing courtship between the US and India is a clear indication of where the US interests lie and who has priority over the other. Under such an environment, only fools in Pakistan would opt for the American patronage.
The tilting gesture of the US towards India is a major concern to Pakistan and its people. A stronger India versus a weaker Pakistan means nothing but disaster for Pakistanis and the end of the sovereignty and independence of Pakistan.
Pakistan has all along been a staunch supporter and trust-worthy ally of the US and the West since its inception. In return, Pakistan received mistrust, humilitation and indifference to its interests in most of the US and the Western administrations.
The Obama administration is trying to woo Pakistan's government and military by offering military and non-military aid without understanding the public sentiments in the country. Neither the present political government nor the military is popular with the people at this point of time. President Zardari is hardly trust-worthy; he has proved it several times during the last one year. That is probably the reason why the US is also working on Mian Nawaz Sharif. General Kayani is highly respected for his professional approach and his desire to keep the army away from active participation in the political system. He is trying hard to reinvent the army's public image after the 9-year distasteful rule of Gen Pervez Musharraf. The present government is least backed by other political, religious and sectarian forces in the country. PMLN's changing moods and the PMLQ's white paper are evidence in place. ANP, JUI(F) and MQM are minor partners and vulnerable to changing their loyalties.
Under the present scenario, the Obama admn has no choice but to review its Pak-Afghan strategy side by side the US-India strategy
and take confidence building measures with the people, politicians and the military of Pakistan. The US has got to create a new perception of its relationship with Pakistan. It has to build a strong bond with Pakistan based on mutual respect, trust and fair-play. Words alone will not help; the US will have to prove its intentions by practical measures. That is going to be a long-drawn process and any attempt in haste can alter the scenario altogether to the disadvantage of the US and the West.
I hope extra common sense will prevail upon the Obama admin, Pakistan's politicians, government and the military in the larger interest of the country and its people as well as the region.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 10, 2009 2:32 PM
Hazrat's prophecy came true as the time passed and I became a passionate reader and writer. From reading to writing had been a long but pleasant journey, opening up the windows of my intellect, intelligence, and intuition. As I understand it, knowledge is 'roshni' that guides one to research, analyse and interpret the phenomena around us. At the same time, it makes you more sensitive, more human and more concerned when the events around you become enigmatic or unbearable and those who could change the course of events are found to be insensitive to the human suffering, national interests and global perspective.
The game that is being played shall have a tragic end unless Almighty Allah steps in and saves our country and its people. As far as the human endeavour is concerned, we are all set for a disaster of unimaginable and unmanageable magnitude.
Today, as I see it, there is a pyramid of power in place. At the top lies the US and the West and at the bottom is the politicians in one corner and the military in the other one. In our country, there has always been mistrust, misunderstanding and misjudgement between the politicians and the military. At the same time, both looked upto the US and the West for guidance and support.
In my humble opinion, the US has one-point agenda in the region i.e. to establish a pro-America government in Afghanistan. All the military might could'nt accomplish this task over the past 8 years. Taliban, warlords and the Northern Alliance rule most part of the country and only a small portion is being ruled by Hamid Karzai government in Kabul. It is my gut feeling that the US believes that the ISI can help establish US-sponsored govt in Kabul, duly supported by Taliban and others. The US also believes that the ISI is not helping its cause; rather the ISI officials, present or past, are helping the Taliban against the US and Nato. The ongoing insurgency is nothing but a ploy to pressurize the government and the military in Pakistan to help the US realize its agenda, I presume.
The physical presence of the US and the Nato forces in the region is hardly palatable for other players such as China, Russia, and Iran. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is in a fix. It cant possibly go against the wishes of its neighbours and friends. At the same time, Pakistan cannot trust the US because of the past history when the US never came to its help vis-a-vis India. The ongoing courtship between the US and India is a clear indication of where the US interests lie and who has priority over the other. Under such an environment, only fools in Pakistan would opt for the American patronage.
The tilting gesture of the US towards India is a major concern to Pakistan and its people. A stronger India versus a weaker Pakistan means nothing but disaster for Pakistanis and the end of the sovereignty and independence of Pakistan.
Pakistan has all along been a staunch supporter and trust-worthy ally of the US and the West since its inception. In return, Pakistan received mistrust, humilitation and indifference to its interests in most of the US and the Western administrations.
The Obama administration is trying to woo Pakistan's government and military by offering military and non-military aid without understanding the public sentiments in the country. Neither the present political government nor the military is popular with the people at this point of time. President Zardari is hardly trust-worthy; he has proved it several times during the last one year. That is probably the reason why the US is also working on Mian Nawaz Sharif. General Kayani is highly respected for his professional approach and his desire to keep the army away from active participation in the political system. He is trying hard to reinvent the army's public image after the 9-year distasteful rule of Gen Pervez Musharraf. The present government is least backed by other political, religious and sectarian forces in the country. PMLN's changing moods and the PMLQ's white paper are evidence in place. ANP, JUI(F) and MQM are minor partners and vulnerable to changing their loyalties.
Under the present scenario, the Obama admn has no choice but to review its Pak-Afghan strategy side by side the US-India strategy
and take confidence building measures with the people, politicians and the military of Pakistan. The US has got to create a new perception of its relationship with Pakistan. It has to build a strong bond with Pakistan based on mutual respect, trust and fair-play. Words alone will not help; the US will have to prove its intentions by practical measures. That is going to be a long-drawn process and any attempt in haste can alter the scenario altogether to the disadvantage of the US and the West.
I hope extra common sense will prevail upon the Obama admin, Pakistan's politicians, government and the military in the larger interest of the country and its people as well as the region.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 10, 2009 2:32 PM
Justice at Your Door Step: A Dream That Never Came True
The other day, Pakistan's most popular leader of today in the IRI poll, Mian Nawaz Sharif repeated his oft-spoken dream in the 'Najam Sethi Special' program that the people should have justice at their door step or close to it. I wondered why Mian Sahib could not provide it during his two terms as the prime minister of Pakistan and one term as the Chief Minister of Punjab. Was'nt it possible at that time?
The other day, Pakistan's most popular Chief Justice of the Supreme Court stated in a meeting of the Judicial Policy Committee that the people of Pakistan will get justice in next 3 to 4 months. I wondered why he did not do it earlier as the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Was'nt it possible at that time?
The other day, I suggested to Mian Shahbaz Sharif, CM of Punjab, to direct the Punjab Prosecution Service (a) to examine the cases of the under-trial prisoners in Punjab who have completed the maximum of the sentence under the law for their alleged crimes and proceed to have them released and (b) to examine the pending cases in courts in Punjab and withdraw all those cases which are weak and unlikely to bring conviction to the accused. The conviction rate in Punjab less than 10 percent. He appreciated the proposition but nothing has yet surfaced on the implementation of the proposition.
The jails in Punjab are heavily over-crowded so much so that there are three to four times more prisoners than the prisons' capacity. The prisoners, under-trials as well as convicts, are living in inhuman conditions, to say the least. There are prisoners who got jail term because they were unable to pay a few thousand rupees of fine. There is hardly any differentiation in the treatment of the jouvenile and the women prisoners and women prisoners with their minor children living with them.
The government of Punjab pays Rs 35 for 3 meals of each prisoner. Even if the entire amount is honestly utilized, no prisoner can have three meals in thirtyfive rupees. Our elite should be spending far more amount on their pets.
Tears rolled down my cheeks when I heard Javed Chaudhry saying at the end of one of his programs: One dog said to the other dog: Be careful these days in moving around lest you die the death of a human being in a blast. What about those living in our prisons?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 15, 2009 8:05 PM
The other day, Pakistan's most popular Chief Justice of the Supreme Court stated in a meeting of the Judicial Policy Committee that the people of Pakistan will get justice in next 3 to 4 months. I wondered why he did not do it earlier as the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Was'nt it possible at that time?
The other day, I suggested to Mian Shahbaz Sharif, CM of Punjab, to direct the Punjab Prosecution Service (a) to examine the cases of the under-trial prisoners in Punjab who have completed the maximum of the sentence under the law for their alleged crimes and proceed to have them released and (b) to examine the pending cases in courts in Punjab and withdraw all those cases which are weak and unlikely to bring conviction to the accused. The conviction rate in Punjab less than 10 percent. He appreciated the proposition but nothing has yet surfaced on the implementation of the proposition.
The jails in Punjab are heavily over-crowded so much so that there are three to four times more prisoners than the prisons' capacity. The prisoners, under-trials as well as convicts, are living in inhuman conditions, to say the least. There are prisoners who got jail term because they were unable to pay a few thousand rupees of fine. There is hardly any differentiation in the treatment of the jouvenile and the women prisoners and women prisoners with their minor children living with them.
The government of Punjab pays Rs 35 for 3 meals of each prisoner. Even if the entire amount is honestly utilized, no prisoner can have three meals in thirtyfive rupees. Our elite should be spending far more amount on their pets.
Tears rolled down my cheeks when I heard Javed Chaudhry saying at the end of one of his programs: One dog said to the other dog: Be careful these days in moving around lest you die the death of a human being in a blast. What about those living in our prisons?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 15, 2009 8:05 PM
Bureaucracy in Pakistan: scholars' viewpoint
Bureaucracy in Pakistan
A candid and perceptive expose of the complex and intricate administrative network of Pakistan, this study traces the steady transition of the bureaucratic elite from an important constituent in the state to a pervasive power in statecraft. Covering pre-reform, reform, and post-reform periods, Kennedy presents a balanced, critical analysis of the role of various aspects of the bureaucracy and contends that Pakistan's bureaucratic philosophy remains governed by 19th-century conventions that hinder administrative reform and development.
http://www.amazon.com/Bureaucracy-Pakistan-Charles-H-Kennedy/dp/0195773640\
Pakistani bureaucracy: crisis of governance and prospects of reform
This paper is divided into three parts. The first part provides an overview of literature on how the role and assessment of bureaucracy in the Third World in general and Pakistan in particular has undergone change. The second part examines the changing socioeconomic profile and corresponding attitudinal changes if any, in Pakistan's bureaucracy. The third part provides guidelines for possible reform in Pakistan's federal bureaucracy.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6788/is_4_38/ai_n28759579/
PAKISTAN: Feudalism: root cause of Pakistan’s malaise
Under Sharif's rule, Pakistan's bureaucracy, police and public services were so infested with corruption and political favouritism, and so starved of resources, that few Pakistanis expected anything from government except employment.
http://www.newsweekly.com.au/articles/2000mar25_pfrcopm.html
Posted by Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 18, 2009 7:16 AM
A candid and perceptive expose of the complex and intricate administrative network of Pakistan, this study traces the steady transition of the bureaucratic elite from an important constituent in the state to a pervasive power in statecraft. Covering pre-reform, reform, and post-reform periods, Kennedy presents a balanced, critical analysis of the role of various aspects of the bureaucracy and contends that Pakistan's bureaucratic philosophy remains governed by 19th-century conventions that hinder administrative reform and development.
http://www.amazon.com/Bureaucracy-Pakistan-Charles-H-Kennedy/dp/0195773640\
Pakistani bureaucracy: crisis of governance and prospects of reform
This paper is divided into three parts. The first part provides an overview of literature on how the role and assessment of bureaucracy in the Third World in general and Pakistan in particular has undergone change. The second part examines the changing socioeconomic profile and corresponding attitudinal changes if any, in Pakistan's bureaucracy. The third part provides guidelines for possible reform in Pakistan's federal bureaucracy.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6788/is_4_38/ai_n28759579/
PAKISTAN: Feudalism: root cause of Pakistan’s malaise
Under Sharif's rule, Pakistan's bureaucracy, police and public services were so infested with corruption and political favouritism, and so starved of resources, that few Pakistanis expected anything from government except employment.
http://www.newsweekly.com.au/articles/2000mar25_pfrcopm.html
Posted by Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 18, 2009 7:16 AM
What is cooking up in foreign kitchens?
We, the naive Pakistanis, thought that a new sun will shine over the troubled Pakistan after the Feb 2008 elections. The ouster of former president Musharraf added glow to our dreamy future. Alas! Asif Zardari suddenly changed his mind and stood up for presidency. That was the beginning of a series of conflicts between President Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif. The conflict is still ripe, though partly visible and partly invisible.
President Zardari was 'summoned' to Washington. He spent more time in Washington that his original program. He paid for his stay alongwith that of his 61 comrades as his visit was neither treated as the state visit nor as the official visit. He later moved to UK and France. Hopefully, he will soon land in Iran.
The former president Musharraf is roaming around the world, visiting the US, China, UK, Saudi Arabia etc. and issuing almost daily statements to the media as if he is still the president of Pakistan or president-designate.
Chaudhry Shujaat is refreshing his thoughts in Saudi Arabia.
Salman Taseer dashed to Abu Dhabi concurrently with the visit of Mian Nawaz Sharif to Dubai.
Mian Shahbaz Sharif paid a short visit to Iran, just before the impending visit of President Zardari.
The whereabouts of the Senate's chairman were unknown during this time.
The question is: What is cooking up outside the borders of Pakistan? Any guess?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 18, 2009 11:02 AM
President Zardari was 'summoned' to Washington. He spent more time in Washington that his original program. He paid for his stay alongwith that of his 61 comrades as his visit was neither treated as the state visit nor as the official visit. He later moved to UK and France. Hopefully, he will soon land in Iran.
The former president Musharraf is roaming around the world, visiting the US, China, UK, Saudi Arabia etc. and issuing almost daily statements to the media as if he is still the president of Pakistan or president-designate.
Chaudhry Shujaat is refreshing his thoughts in Saudi Arabia.
Salman Taseer dashed to Abu Dhabi concurrently with the visit of Mian Nawaz Sharif to Dubai.
Mian Shahbaz Sharif paid a short visit to Iran, just before the impending visit of President Zardari.
The whereabouts of the Senate's chairman were unknown during this time.
The question is: What is cooking up outside the borders of Pakistan? Any guess?
Mumtaz A. Piracha
May 18, 2009 11:02 AM
Punjab CM's writ being challenged by bureaucracy???
There is a growing perception in certain quarters that the bureaucracy in Punjab is challenging the writ of the Punjab Chief Minister by its usual tricks and pricks, making it more and more difficult for the CM to achieve the desired results. It is said that the bureaucracy is in no mood to go along the CM's fast-track as there is far more workload relating to the past, present and future than the administrative setup in the province can sustain. As a result, those who are committed to work alongside the CM come under tremendous pressure of work, thus encroaching upon their family and social obligations as well as their own health.
During the last one year of the present government, major public issues have remained unsolved or the progress has been too slow or too insignificant. The hyper-inflation, unemployment and poverty affecting a great number of people remain far off the mark. Other sectors such as education including the vocational and occupational training, health-care, police, prisons, law and order and electricity, gas and water issues are yet to be tackled effectively.
The issues that cropped up during the recent wheat procurement drive in Punjab and the frequent visits of the CM to enforce his directives speak loudly of the hidden tussle between the bureaucracy and the CM.
The crux of the problem probably lies in the way the CM has reshuffled the bureaucracy over the last one year. His ambitious plans and high performance demands are probably out of tune with the competence level of the bureaucracy, its morale and motivation, its performance appraisal and reward and the political pulls and pushes of the various political parties holding power in the province.
The CM may well now have to plan and program structural changes in the bureaucracy aimed at improving their competence level, character and commitment, inducting a scientific system of performance appraisal and rewards and punishment, and carrying out postings and transfers on merit and merit alone. Every civil servant should have a fair chance of performing his functions and rising in his career on the basis of his merits. The induction of the old team of the 90's can hardly be termed fair in the eyes of the bureaucracy as a whole. The Rule of Merit MUST replace the Rule of Personal Affiliations if Punjab is to become a model province for other provinces to emulate its role.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
Founder & Moderator
Good Governance Forum
Pakistan
During the last one year of the present government, major public issues have remained unsolved or the progress has been too slow or too insignificant. The hyper-inflation, unemployment and poverty affecting a great number of people remain far off the mark. Other sectors such as education including the vocational and occupational training, health-care, police, prisons, law and order and electricity, gas and water issues are yet to be tackled effectively.
The issues that cropped up during the recent wheat procurement drive in Punjab and the frequent visits of the CM to enforce his directives speak loudly of the hidden tussle between the bureaucracy and the CM.
The crux of the problem probably lies in the way the CM has reshuffled the bureaucracy over the last one year. His ambitious plans and high performance demands are probably out of tune with the competence level of the bureaucracy, its morale and motivation, its performance appraisal and reward and the political pulls and pushes of the various political parties holding power in the province.
The CM may well now have to plan and program structural changes in the bureaucracy aimed at improving their competence level, character and commitment, inducting a scientific system of performance appraisal and rewards and punishment, and carrying out postings and transfers on merit and merit alone. Every civil servant should have a fair chance of performing his functions and rising in his career on the basis of his merits. The induction of the old team of the 90's can hardly be termed fair in the eyes of the bureaucracy as a whole. The Rule of Merit MUST replace the Rule of Personal Affiliations if Punjab is to become a model province for other provinces to emulate its role.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
Founder & Moderator
Good Governance Forum
Pakistan
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