PM calls for reforms in civil bureaucracy

E-Paper | October 11, 2026

PM calls for reforms in civil bureaucracy

Mateen Haider Published February 9, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern and dissatisfaction with the performance of the civil bureaucracy, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed that a detailed report must be submitted to him within four months' time in order to bring about holistic reforms in the structure of the civil service, including in the accountability mechanism for civil servants.

"It is a point of concern that various officers, even those at the senior level, are lacking in competence and initiative which is hampering service delivery to the public," the prime minister said chairing a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of a reforms agenda of the government, which included deliberations on the setting up of a monitoring, evaluation and delivery cell in the premier's office.

The prime minister said that the evaluation of government officers and staff should be done in a meaningful manner, so that the best of the lot could be brought forward to improve the government's functioning and services to the people.

He further said that international practices should be followed by bringing about reforms in the civil services in addition to examining previous studies conducted on the subject in-house.

Taking note of salaries, Prime Minister Sharif said that the salary structure for civil servants must be improved to give better incentives to the bureaucracy while strengthening their accountability mechanism.

"The government is focusing on an agenda of economic growth and structural reforms both in the long and short term. Civil service reforms should be oriented towards ensuring welfare of the people," the premier remarked.

The next meeting to review progress on the matter has been called for Thursday.

Federal Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar, Maryam Nawaz, Federal Minister for Planning & Development, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Khawaja Zaheer, along with Member of National Assembly Danial Aziz were in attendance.

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Nabeell

Feb 09, 2015 04:14pm

Now thats a good strategy to get your rivals out and bring in your 'Men in the Game'.

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Muhammad Imran Yousafzai

Feb 09, 2015 04:25pm

Nice move! Hoping it will not remain a paperwork!

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naveed

Feb 09, 2015 04:30pm

very bad this will completely ruin the civil society

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Rizwan

Feb 09, 2015 04:37pm

good thing , you must do the same with politicians and military bureaucracy , all must be treated equal before the law.

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Shiraz

Feb 09, 2015 04:47pm

The best of the rote learners become civil servants of Pakistan. The lack of analytical, intellectual and problem solving skills hampers most of them in their careers. Those who manage to climb the ladders are usually those who accept and oblige favours. How can a medical doctor serve the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, how can an engineer manage the ministry of population welfare, how can an economist be an IG of Police of a province and it all happens in Pakistan. The civil services of Pakistan really need a very drastic type of reform. We do not need people who are supoosed to implement the policies of his or her majesty. They are civil servants of Pakistan and should serve as such. And they shall have to be qualified to do their jobs, not just be at the mercy of experienced and cunning lower grades staff that they inherit.

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spiderman

Feb 09, 2015 04:49pm

Any reforms without curbing the political interference in working of civil servant will prove nothing more than a wild goose chase.

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Anarchist

Feb 09, 2015 04:52pm

I am sorry but when you appoint 25 members of your family, friends, cronies and rest of the gang to various positions without merit, how can you complain about competence? You have ministers heading ministers who dont have an iota of inkling whats going on in their ministries. Similarly everyone from IG to a constable is appointed based on their loyalty to the Sharif family, not competence. Reforms begin at home. Start by firing Abid Sher ali.

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Malik Saab

Feb 09, 2015 04:53pm

And who will check the incompetence of federal and provincial ministers?. One example of Nepotism and non professionalism is Our Minister Abid Sher Ali who is running the energy affairs of this country but I am sure that he cannot even differentiate between Electricity and voltage.

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Ajamal

Feb 09, 2015 04:56pm

In what capacity what Mariam NS in attendance?

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KHAN

Feb 09, 2015 05:03pm

Mr Prime Minister, Pl. get performance report on your cabinet Minister Too. would be an eye opener !!!

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Qamar

Feb 09, 2015 05:12pm

LOL.. NS and his brother destroyed bureaucracy by nepotism and cronyism, and now they are dissatisfied with civil servants...very funny.

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salman

Feb 09, 2015 05:18pm

So is Maryam Nawaz now officially part of the govt? Imagine the outcry if IK bought his wife to KP govt meetings? But daughter of King Sharif is given a free pass? lol

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asif

Feb 09, 2015 05:21pm

it is a good step, making them accountable and increasing their incentives, but a strict check should also be kept on them.

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Syed Ganga Din

Feb 09, 2015 05:23pm

Let's start with cutting hands of the bureaucrats accepting bribes. No trial, no lawyers and no courts, just cut their hands.

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Danish

Feb 09, 2015 05:24pm

A task long awaited.

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water

Feb 09, 2015 05:24pm

Such drastic measures will yield remarkable results. By rejuvenating bureaucracy Govt. is likely to earn high acclaim by pro democracy pupil. I also appreciate DAWN for highlight pros and cons of ruling party's policies without being biased.

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Jainy

Feb 09, 2015 05:25pm

With due apology, can anyone ask about Mr. PM's credibility. What are his capabilities of becoming PM????????

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public

Feb 09, 2015 05:26pm

@Nabeell yup and the other advantage is the time limits issued . The report will be handed over to a Committee which will submit its report by Dec 2017 tentatively.

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public

Feb 09, 2015 05:28pm

@KHAN he badly needs his own performance assessment report sooner than four months. Should be placed on Adverse Report.

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Pakistani

Feb 09, 2015 05:32pm

Well done Prime Minister, whole nation is with you. What happened with your quarterly performance report of your cabinet ministers you started last year?

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Sami

Feb 09, 2015 05:37pm

Bring professional service groups and put an end to clerical working style in bureaucracy.

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Ashraf Usman

Feb 09, 2015 05:39pm

Mian Sahib This is your third term and now you realize this. The whole bureaucracy system is antiquated and outdated and plus the appointments of favourites makes it useless. This system needs a complete revamp with discarding the Public Service Exams and the selection system. First the existing structure of the federal and provincial governments needs to critically reviewed and only essential ministries and departments should be retained and then they should be filled with Professionals having relevant qualifications and experience on merit. All ministries and departments established to accommodate cronies should be abolished. It should be a lean and thin structure to make it efficient.

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Alarmed

Feb 09, 2015 05:40pm

OMG! Accountability starts from the top. Mr. Sharif you are not the elected leader you are the leader who has come to power via fraud and debauchery.....how can you hold others accountable when you do not hold yourself accountable?????

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hassan

Feb 09, 2015 05:52pm

Emerging economic powers have done one thing with a great will , that is to eliminate corruption from its roots.

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masroor

Feb 09, 2015 06:23pm

Is this Nawaz Sharif?really the Guy of PMLN? You made me feel good

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Murtaza

Feb 09, 2015 06:31pm

Including himself?

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Kashmiri34

Feb 09, 2015 06:34pm

Should learnt from UPSC of India or Indian Civil Services of British India.....

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Khan-Haqiqi

Feb 09, 2015 06:36pm

Is it a news? Looking at the current state if Pakistan any person with basic IQ can figure that out, when you hire people on quota system from a single province and not on merit since 1970 then this is what you get

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Riaz

Feb 09, 2015 06:39pm

Make the politicians accountable first, Mr Prime Minister Sir. If your Ministers are made accountable and willing to shoulder responsibility not demand only perks, the bureaucrats will not dare not perform or be dishonest. An odd case may, however, be there. On the contrary if the Minister is corrupt and wants his subordinates to earn for him, how do you expect them not to take their share or perform their duties honestly. There is nothing wrong with the structure of the bureaucracy. Only thing needed is that their political bosses should be honest and a little bit competent. You can't expect miracles from an almost illiterate Minister. It was very disheartening to see Ministers not accepting their responsibility for fuel crises, as boss of the the Division. Just acceptance of their fault would have raised their stature.

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Farrukh Munir

Feb 09, 2015 06:44pm

The first reform is the obvious one but that's not going to be implemented and that is "not to appoint cronies in the first place". Each party appoints their own people at top positions so that they have absolute control over every government department. Mr NS, you stop that and the results will be there for everyone to see. But we all know that's no going to happen so forget about other reforms as that will be waste of time and resources.

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tahir

Feb 09, 2015 06:47pm

dats nice.. they r not service oriented instead consider themselves rulers.. "officer shahi" may have an end now the brainchild of British rule.. they had to rule like masters .. so used carrot and stick..but v dont v should serve our ppl like early Muslim Caliphs..

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Taimur

Feb 09, 2015 07:43pm

Corrupt politicians will now select honest bureaucrates. Joke of the year.

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Mian G

Feb 09, 2015 07:46pm

Mian sb are there still some unemployed family members left?

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Feb 09, 2015 07:46pm

How about accountability of politicians and the court system that cannot provide justice of any type and one of the main causes of creating terrorism in Pakistan.

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JUSTICE

Feb 09, 2015 07:57pm

You think with this reform is there any chance to bring Pakistani's looted money back from foreign countries.

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khawaja

Feb 09, 2015 08:13pm

And this after 2 years in power? did you and your government just come in from Switzerland that you are so our of touch with Pakistani problems? I'm sorry but this looks like you're implying that all else is good except the beurocracy which you and your ministers choose

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Molvi

Feb 09, 2015 09:20pm

Want reforms in bureaucray , ask your in competent ministers to stop meddling in affairs of bureaucracy.

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Molvi

Feb 09, 2015 09:21pm

@Anarchist Right on Spot. "fire Abid Sheer Ali first'

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Arisha G

Feb 09, 2015 09:31pm

What is his legacy going to be? setting up committees??

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Cyrus Ho

Feb 09, 2015 09:34pm

You see, The PM does understand the problem. When Mustafa Kemel took power in Turkey he wanted to dismiss all of the bureaucrats at the top, until he realized they were the only ones educated enough to manage the country. He had to keep them signed on.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada.

Feb 09, 2015 10:19pm

“If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them see.”

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yussef

Feb 09, 2015 10:52pm

One of the first who lacks competence is Mr. Sharif himself.

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zaman tareen

Feb 09, 2015 11:07pm

Railways, Electriccity,Police,PIA,post office,FBR and many others Dep Under the Fedral GOVTT runing. the problems relieng in fedral dep even the fedral govtt buerecracy dosnt know the figures millions or billions and None Locals employment create many problems thy can easily involved in corruption, and How canit posible a doctor serve the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, how can its posible an engineer manage the ministry of population welfare, how can an economist be an IG of Police of a province and it all happens in Pakistan.

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Feb 09, 2015 11:11pm

It is a great move to initiate the badly needed reformation of civil bureaucracy, Yes there must be goals for every bureaucrat accompanied with appropriate accountability. In these reforms, the PM must seriously work on reducing the size of the government by 50% so Pakistan can breathe and realize its potential. Additionally, the PM must begin working on military bureaucracy reforms, judicial reforms and well as political reforms which are much needed as soon as possible

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kAFIRmUSAFIR

Feb 09, 2015 11:21pm

I hope and wish the PM and the People of Pakistan much success in whatever they do to prosper the country and its people. Key is education, knowledge, know-how, and away from ignorance and non-truths. A prosperous, educated, intelligent, bright Pakistan is good for Pakistan and good for the WORLD.

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zaman tareen

Feb 09, 2015 11:40pm

A simple Formula give the respect take the respect, first time good move PPP govt is very popular amongst the public sectors. But state must define the work of each department do by themselves not from any other institutions like ...

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 10, 2015 12:19am

What else can he say? Is it not happening under his watch? If yes, then who is eventually responsible for it?

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Whatisinname

Feb 10, 2015 12:35am

Let the public servants work as "your most obedient servants" to the people, as they are supposed to sign their official letters to the public.

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Whatisinname

Feb 10, 2015 12:39am

Once there was a fear of "pensionable service" going out-of-hands if found wanting in performance and therefore honest work was the service norm. But, now the sound of "a motor-bike" around a senior civil servant's residence at odd hour is the worst nightmare because, that is how their suspension or transfer orders arrive. It is no more a secure service where pension is the sure benefit after a life-long service to the public.

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Naeem

Feb 10, 2015 03:24am

NS please lead by example.

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Faruk chowhdry

Feb 10, 2015 03:26am

Nawaz you are not capable of running the country.

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wizarat

Feb 10, 2015 03:50am

Ist order of business. 1. Fire all hires during this and previous administration. 2. All hires would be strictly on MERIT. If you are serious about it, then do it. It will change Pakistan.

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wizarat

Feb 10, 2015 03:54am

Mr. PM Bring in Ministers from the same fields at least. If you are serious. There are a lot of very competent people in the country that you should ask them to serve instead of hiring your own from your pind.

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Sherry

Feb 10, 2015 04:02am

It is because all their relatives and uneducated people are doing these jobs. There is no vision by the government, why is money not spent on Education, health, cleanliness of the country and reduce the size of the army - make them more efficient.

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khalid iqbal

Feb 10, 2015 04:34am

if MR. Nawaz is thinking of improving the working of his govt. he should start with his own ministers,replace the present ministers with people who are talented,honest and hard working. there are lots of talented peoplein Pakistan,they are running big mega projects in the private sector,why cant this be done,MR.Nawaz has to stop hiring his own family members,get rid of the land mafia,and his cronies who will destroy him,like it has happened in the past.

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sunil USA

Feb 10, 2015 04:40am

He forgot the reform should start from very top. I.e from him first

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W. Shaikh

Feb 10, 2015 05:26am

We should have military reforms too. Incompetency and corruption in military should be a major concern. The most important military reform will be to keep them out of politics.

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Tariq Nawaz

Feb 10, 2015 05:39am

What he is talking about ? He has completely destroyed the bureaucracy and the only criteria is loyality to PML(N)Any officer of grade 20 and above will never get an important position unless he is vetted by his cronies.All requirements are made clear to him and he is blindly required to follow instructions under all circumstances. .

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A Khan

Feb 10, 2015 05:50am

Who will refine you-Mr PM?

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meharali

Feb 10, 2015 07:31am

Yes increase salary but take away other perks like army of servants and multi canal homes. This kind of colonial era life style has to change fast.

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Rajendra Tiwari

Feb 10, 2015 10:39am

Bravo! It is the best step by the prime minister of Pakistan to modernize (modinize) the civil bureaucracy of the country and head towards 21st century. He must have been impressed by another prime minister of a country to the east of Pakistan.

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citizen

Feb 10, 2015 11:57am

When ministers themselves lack competency and selected on nepotism/cronysm how come bueracracy will work efficient

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MUNIB

Feb 10, 2015 01:22pm

@naveed its Civil Service , not Civil Society

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