OVER the years the power and efficiency of the bureaucracy deteriorated to a large extent. The main problem for today’s bureaucracy is political interference. People in important posts serve more as personal servants of politicians and ministers rather than servants of the state.

This has led to a despotic and corrupt regime of bureaucratic officers at the top. A fresh, new and competent officer who wants to go by the book is sure to get into trouble with his seniors and politicians.

Such officers are punished by making them OSD (officers on special duty) or by posting them to far-flung areas of the country.

To make the bureaucracy independent of political influence a post of ‘chief secretary of Pakistan’ must be created. He will be the seniormost grade - 22 officer of the civilian bureaucracy and will be responsible for the overall postings, promotions and decisions.

Just like the officers in the military owe their allegiance to the chief of army staff and look up to him for their defence when it comes to political wrangling, so should the civilian bureaucracy look up to an officer who is from amongst them and knows their difficulties.

The chief secretary will chair regular meetings among the chief secretaries of the provinces and federal secretaries just like an army chief conducts regular meetings with corps commanders for better coordination and unanimity of views.

HAMZA NAVEED Lahore