THE need for comprehensive civil service reforms is no longer a matter of debate—it is a necessity that cannot be postponed any further.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing a meeting on Friday, stressed the importance of aligning the civil service with modern technology and global standards, rightly highlighting the urgency of revamping a system that remains central to policy implementation and governance across the country.
While the intentions expressed by the Prime Minister are commendable, it is essential to point out that successive governments have made similar commitments in the past, yet little has materialized in concrete terms. Reform in the civil service has remained a recurring theme in policy discussions, but the system continues to struggle with outdated procedures, inefficiencies and a lack of performance-based incentives. The time for mere rhetoric is over—what is now required is resolute action. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal’s briefing to the Prime Minister acknowledged that there remains significant room for improvement in key areas such as recruitment, promotions, training and capacity building. These are critical elements that determine the calibre and effectiveness of civil servants. There is no reason to delay reforms in these areas. However, while introducing reforms, caution must be exercised to avoid demoralizing practices such as appointing outside experts to head ministries as federal secretaries. Such decisions, though sometimes made under the pretext of bringing fresh expertise, often alienate career civil servants who have devoted decades to reaching these positions. It sends a discouraging message. The solution lies not in bypassing the system but in strengthening it from within. Pakistan’s civil service has, over the decades, produced outstanding diplomats and administrators who served the country with distinction. With the right reforms—particularly in recruitment, training and professional development—the same system can evolve to meet the demands of the modern era, including the need for specialized knowledge in various technical and policy domains. There is ample potential within the existing structure; it only needs to be harnessed wisely and consistently.
