Politicians' intervention in the day-to-day activities of civil servants leads to the erosion of public service
HAFIZABAD: This is apropos your editorial “Decline in civil service” (April 19). Our civil service is plagued with a slew of issues, the most critical being the politicisation of the bureaucracy. An efficient, strong, professional and depoliticised civil service is the backbone of state machinery, but when politicians intervene in the day-to-day activities of civil servants, it leads to the erosion of public service delivery.
The politicisation of bureaucracy denudes it of its professionalism and integrity. Consequently, a nefarious nexus is developed between politicians and bureaucrats, hindering the delivery of basic amenities to the common man. Unfortunately, this has been the case in our country. Politicians want civil servants to work for their vested interests rather than for public interest. It is disingenuous on the part of politicians to interfere in the bureaucracy’s work. In Pakistan, politicians have an inclination to keep the transfers and postings of civil servants in their hands. Bureaucrats, on the other hand, also succumb to temptations easily, owing to their vested interests. Politicians and bureaucrats need to engage in some introspection. Civil servants should develop a culture of saying ‘no’.
They should resist political pressure. They can do it. Our civil service needs an overhaul. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has embarked on efforts to reform the bureaucracy but the proposals presented by him, such as an increase in qualification from 14 years of education to 16 years, and age relaxation for the CSS exam, are just cosmetic measures. These proposals have nothing to do with the efficiency of civil service. The real reform needed is depoliticisation of civil service. Unless the civil services are reformed, public sector development will remain a pipe dream.
Tayyab Tarar
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2016.
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