MPAs flag bureaucratic hurdles

Provincial assembly members from South Punjab have raised concerns over local bureaucrats' lethargic attitude

Listen to article

LAHORE:

Provincial assembly members from South Punjab have raised concerns over local bureaucrats' indifferent and lethargic attitude while also commending the chief minister's performance.

The lawmakers shared their grievances during a meeting with PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday.

Nawaz, accompanied by his daughter, met with MPAs from Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargarh, followed by another session with lawmakers from Layyah, Rajanpur and DG Khan.

The discussions opened with a speech by Nawaz Sharif, who spoke at length about the political challenges faced by the party and the current state of affairs.

Following his address, MPAs were invited to share their feedback, with many of them lauding Maryam and informing her father that the government initiatives had been well received in their constituencies.

They particularly commended her merit-based approach to administrative appointments, with one of them pointing out that all government officers in Punjab were being appointed purely on merit, with no influence of "sifarish" (or recommendation) - a euphemism for undue favour.

He noted that unlike in the past when influential MPAs had control over transfers and postings, the current government had eliminated such practices, and legislators were gradually accepting the change.

However, concerns were also raised regarding the attitude of government officials.

An MPA said that while the government appoints officers, it must also be held accountable for their performance. He disclosed that even CM Maryam acknowledged the concerns, telling her father that the situation was not as smooth as civil servants were portraying.

She admitted that she was not satisfied with the law-and-order situation in South Punjab.