It formally began the process by kick-starting the first phase of consultative dialogue, organised by the Planning Commission. The premier has given the task to present a workable draft of proposals to Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal.
The report prepared by former State Bank of Pakistan governor Dr Ishrat Husain will become the base of discussion, said Iqbal while talking to The Express Tribune. He said Dr Husain had done a great work in bringing reforms in the system but it remained unimplemented for years.
However, the Planning Commission did not invite the key stakeholder, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), which has also presented recommendations to the President of Pakistan to introduce bureaucratic reforms. Iqbal said FPSC would also be involved in the consultation process.
In its ambitious Vision 2025, the government has also placed emphasis on introducing governance reforms but the PC’s Governance member has more expertise in Human Resource Management.
The first round
In the first round, key stakeholders including Secretary Establishment, Secretary Planning and other senior government officials, members from academia and the private sector participated. Iqbal informed the meeting about the resolve of the current government to modernise the public sector. He said that these reforms are being undertaken in light of Pakistan Vision 2025 and the directive of Prime Minister of Pakistan in the last cabinet meeting.
During its 17-month rule, the government has failed to appoint heads of many public sector bodies. The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday allowed the government to appoint heads of the bodies without consulting a Commission on Public Sector Appointments. However, the apex court bound the government to observe transparency and merit while making appointments.
Iqbal highlighted the weaknesses and challenges within the existing structure of government and identified key areas where immediate interventions were required, according to a handout issued by Ministry of Planning. He said a 300-year old system was implemented in Pakistan and that rigid system failed to tackle demands.
He argued that people have started to rely on the private sector more than the public sector as people today prefer private security, health, education and electricity which have put a huge pressure on the government.
He shared that people expect government to run on 100 miles per hour but the systems present are not allowing the government to run more than 20-30 miles per hour.
He said that this roundtable workshop was the first consultative conference to take ideas and recommendations from academia, private and public sector on democratic governance reforms and have their ownership on reforms.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2014.
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Mr. Iqbal should learn that after 18th amendment, there is very little that federal govt can do as most areas involved with governance and economic growth have been devolved to the provinces. The federal govt should respect its reduced mandate and act accordingly. After 18th amendment, there is very little for the federal govt outside the domains of foreign affairs, 'strategic' communication, defense and establishment of a common currency with the consent of the provinces.