BUREAUCRACY being executive arm of the administration has pivotal role to play to ensure good governance and implement reforms agenda of sitting government. It is however unfortunate that relationship dynamics between incumbent government and bureaucracy lacks required level of trust, confidence and the result is that government is finding it hard to move swiftly on promises it made with masses during the elections.
Disappointed with performance of bureaucracy, the PTI government yet again went for a massive reshuffle both at federal and Punjab level that also saw replacement of Punjab Chief Secretary and police chief. Would this reshuffle produce desired results, only time will tell yet there is a general impression within the PTI that civil officials especially those in direct public service departments are using delaying tactics to slow down government’s initiatives. It may be so but in our view it is for the government to take serious steps towards allaying apprehensions of the bureaucracy and restoring their trust and confidence so that they could work without any fear. During a visit to Lahore on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan once again reached out to civil servants assuring them of tenure protection and directing them to work on merit without entertaining any political influence. Such engagements must continue at different levels in order to remove misgivings and develop a good working relationship. It is also for bureaucrats to perform their work honestly while rising above their political affiliations. Their prime responsibility is serving the masses for which they are getting paid from national exchequer.
We are confident that recent changes made at the top will have positive impact and bring improvement in official working. The government must also accelerate the process of introducing civil reforms for which responsibility has been entrusted to a committee headed by Adviser for institutional reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain. The reforms should mainly focus on bringing to the fore talented, honest and capable manpower. There is need to replace outdated promotion system with a new mechanism that encourages capable and dynamic officers reaching the top slots. The reforms must also come up with better salary packages for officers so that they could devote full energies to their work without any financial botheration.