Planning Minister for civil service overhaul to improve delivery
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Friday underscored the necessity of revisiting the civil service framework established in 1973, citing the significant transformations in societal conditions and administrative demands.
Chairing a session of the Civil Services Reform Committee—formed under the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—Minister Iqbal led discussions focused on a strategic overhaul of the bureaucratic structure to better align it with present-day requirements.Punjab Govt to establish Special Planning Authority
As per a press release from the Ministry of Planning, the minister emphasized dismantling internal barriers rooted in self-preservation that hinder progress within the system.
The meeting brought together senior representatives from key departments, including the Ministry of Planning, the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), and officials from the Cabinet Secretariat.
Minister Iqbal remarked that citizens today are more knowledgeable and empowered, resulting in heightened expectations for public service delivery. He emphasized that Pakistan requires a civil service that is adaptive, forward-thinking, performance-oriented, and capable of responding to current challenges.
During the meeting, the committee supported a proposed restructuring based on a cluster model, underlining the need to tackle difficulties in attracting skilled professionals to the public sector.
He noted that there is often a disconnect between the capabilities of government personnel and the demands of their positions, particularly given the evolving environment. He advocated for the adoption of effective strategies from the private sector to close this gap and improve operational efficiency in public institutions.
The minister also highlighted a critical shortage of technical experts across numerous ministries, warning that this gap must be urgently addressed to ensure that public bodies possess the necessary technical know-how.
He further called for the expansion of occupational categories in specialized fields such as engineering and information technology, to establish a stronger professional foundation within the civil service for managing technical matters.
Minister Iqbal also questioned the rationale behind making English a mandatory subject for entry into the civil service, noting that many capable candidates are excluded due to failing the English paper.
He argued that if English proficiency were truly indicative of administrative excellence, Pakistan’s bureaucracy would rank among the world’s best. Instead, he said, English has been used as a tool of exclusion, creating barriers for the majority of citizens.
He proposed offering Urdu as an alternative compulsory subject in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, suggesting that this would foster inclusiveness, reinforce national identity, and uplift Urdu as the country’s official language.
