KARACHI, July 12: The Establishment Division will submit a proposal to the prime minister in the next three to four weeks for eliminating the element of political transfers and posting of government officers and promote specialization in the bureaucracy. This was stated by the Secretary Establishment, Syed Tariq Ali Bokhari, while responding to the observation of the Senate Standing Committee on Establishment (Cabinet, Establishment and Management Services) at a meeting here on Tuesday.

Senator Tanvir Khalid chaired the meeting where committee members including Senator Mouhim Khan Baloch, Senator Mohammad Abbas Komaili and Senator Dr Safdar Abbasi were briefed on the functions and performance of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).

Calling a step in the right direction, Mr Bokhari said that after the approval, this scheme would be submitted with the federal cabinet and then to all the four provinces.

Giving details of the proposal, he said that specific posts would be broadly categorized for ensuring that no generalized transfers and posting were made against them and only specialised persons should work there.

“It will be first launched at the federal secretariat as pilot project on experimental basis and later in other ministries and departments. We have divided services into three sectors, namely economic infrastructure sector, social sector and remaining areas”, Mr Bokhari said.

He was of the view that this would promote specialization and professionalism in the government officers and they would excel in their respective fields.

The secretary said that the current generalized cadre system in the bureaucracy was the legacy of the colonialism.

Senator Tanvir Khalid suggested the NIPA management to include the subjects of moralities, public services in their training programmes for senior government officials specially police and district management.

She said that the government officers including police should be asked to increase interaction with the public for quick solution of problems.

NIPA courses should help in narrowing the gap between the community and police, Ms Khalid added.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIPA Karachi, Mohammad Zakir, briefed the standing committee about the training courses of NIPA for senior government officers.

He said the NIPA had so far conducted 79 advance courses for senior government officers of grade 19 and equal.

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control visited the Custom House, Karachi on Tuesday.

Ms Musarrat Jabeen, Collector of Customs (Preventive) briefed the senators on the working of various drug enforcement units of the Collector of Customs (Preventive).

Collector of Customs (Preventive) also highlighted the efforts of the preventive staff in foiling bids of drug traffickers.

The committee chairperson Senator Kalsoom Parveen and other members showed immense interest in the working of the Collectorate and appreciated the efforts made by the Pakistan Customs in controlling the menace of drug trafficking. —APP/PPI