Resorting to caricatures and condemnation does not lead to proper remedies
ISLAMABAD: In his article, “Reforming the civil service” (May 9), Shahzad Chaudhry denigrates the erstwhile Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP), later termed the DMG, as being colonial and not inclined to be service-oriented. In my view, it is the destruction of the CSP that has resulted in the very sad state of public administration in Pakistan and the prevailing lawlessness. It is easy to destroy but highly difficult to build a neutral and efficient administrative structure.
Resorting to caricatures and condemnation does not lead to proper remedies.
The utter breakdown of law and order in Pakistan requires effective administrative control as the primary imperative. Restoration of the previous powers of the deputy commissioner is thus called for. Regarding the issue of generalists versus specialists, it all depends on the person concerned. To illustrate this point, a neurosurgeon might be of international calibre as a specialist but would likely fail in administering effectively a large hospital or a ministry of health if entrusted with that task.
Amin Jan Naim
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2015.
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