The government has announced various reforms in civil services to improve the performance of government employees and departments.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood, who also heads Cabinet Committee on Institutional Reforms (CCIR), unveiled the reforms package at a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The minister said that reforms have been introduced in promotion, premature retirement, efficiency and discipline, appointment in MP scale, rotation, as well as the and strengthening of Pakistan’s administrative services.
The education minister said promotion of civil servants will depend on a process involving 40 per cent share of Annual Confidential Reports (ACR), 30 per cent training and 30 per cent board evaluation. He added that any promotion of the official facing a reference will be deferred.
About premature retirement, the minister said that the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) chairman will decide the cases from BS-20 while the decisions from scales 17 to 19 will be taken by the secretary and up to grade 16 by a senior joint secretary.
He explained that three below average or average ACRs can serve a ground for premature retirement of an official. He further said that a plea bargain option, if availed by an official, can also provide ground for retirement.
As for amendments in the efficiency and discipline rules, Mahmood said that it has been decided that an inquiry committee will give its decision in 60 days, and the authority will take the decision of punishment in 30 days.
He added that disciplinary action may also be taken against the person availing plea bargain option in a case. He said that multiple inquires against an official will be clubbed together.
Mahmood said that the CCIR also decided upon some changes in appointment regarding MPs. He said that the period has been increased from two to three years, and it can be further extended. He added that a post in MP scale can be publicized and a suitable person can also be picked from the market.
Regarding rotation policy, the minister said that no officer can stay in provinces beyond 10 years. He said that the promotion has also been linked to a rotation policy. He added the strength of Pakistan Administrative Service has also been decreased.
