CSS aspirants to first undergo 'screening test'

Step taken in line with PM Imran Khan's vision on institutional reforms, revamping civil service in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Establishment Division Shahzad Arbab has said that Central Superior Services (CSS) aspirants would first undergo a necessary screening test before being permitted to take the competitive examination, which is in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision on institutional reforms and revamping the civil service in Pakistan.

In an exclusive talk with The Express Tribune, the adviser spoke extensively on the progress made in institutions restructuring, civil service reforms, the Torkham border and the “Road to Makkah” project.

He said that the premier’s vision was of transparency, integrity and efficiency-based governance as he believed in team-building and teamwork.

The adviser said that PM Imran, for the purpose, regularly held cabinet meetings and had constituted different committees and taskforces for policy formulation through stakeholder engagement.

Informed decisions were only taken through consultative and collective processes including consultations from all key stakeholders.

The federal government has decided to provide specialized training to civil service and non-cadre officers. Promotion of officers would be dependent on the training and it is estimated that 6,000 civil servants and 29,000 non-cadre officers will receive the mandatory special training. The non-cadre officers will be divided into subgroups for specialised trainings relevant to their needs.

The federal government has also finalised the posting of 35 out of 65 heads of departments and corporations. Policies are also being formulated for entry into 20/21 grade of the federal government and for rotation of PAS and PSP service officers.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the adviser said that the government had started tenure postings. Now, a federal minister would analyse the performance of appointed officers for six months, after which decisions would be taken keeping in view their performance based on merit.

He said that in 17 ministries, there was a need for technical advisers and many of the appointments had been made and ministers had been authorised to carry out these postings.

The federal government was also restructuring 441 departments and their associated bodies. Some of these would be merged and some may be considered redundant.

A committee chaired by Dr Ishrat Hussain reviewed these departments and presented a report to the prime minister every Tuesday before the cabinet meeting.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Establishment Shahzad Arbab, Minister for Defence Pervaiz Khattak, Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and Chairman Kashmir Committee Syed Fakhar Imam and their respective secretaries are also a part of this committee.