THIS is apropos the article ‘Changing the system’ (Aug 12) by Tasneem Noorani. By way of argument the writer seems to be advocating the introduction of independence and apoliticism of bureaucracy by the incoming Imran Khan government.

The writer’s methodology smacks of a plea for the revival of the old system of handing unbridled powers to the bureaucracy and police for making them effective.

In his opinion, to ‘revamp the system, only simple measures’ are required. The thrust of which is to ‘restore’ the many ‘powers’ of the bureaucracy.

Measures that lean heavily on restorations and revivals would only be regressive. The change that people expect and ask of Imran Khan would hold no aspiration for anyone if it is stale and devoid of freshness. For reforms in bureaucracy, already a study has been conducted through some respected experts. Instead of letting it gather dust, it could be revisited for its finer and practicable points.

One wonders how long it would be before reforms in the bureaucracy are undertaken in Pakistan. India, which has a similar bureaucratic set-up, has at least taken a bold step in initiating revamping of the system.

Recently, the Indian government advertised lateral recruitment to joint secretary level positions in 10 specialised areas of governance (The Economist, June 23-29, 2018).

Reforms on similar lines may be considered by the incoming government. Just playing around with the idea of reforms would not do, rather measures and actions that are truly reformative leading to change are needed for ‘Naya Pakistan’.

B.K Sarai

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2018