PAKISTAN
In his first address to the nation, new Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan foreshadowed a return to merit-based policies in the country’s Public Service.
Mr Khan (pictured) said he regretted that previous political interference, resulting in the wrong people occupying senior positions, had impinged upon the functioning of Public Service, which he described as “the backbone of the country”.
The Prime Minister said the Public Service was in need of reform but promised there would be no interference in it workings from his centrist Government.
“Honest and dedicated people will be accorded due respect and protection no matter whatever political affiliations they have,” Mr Khan said.
He referred to the Right to Public Service Act introduced by the Provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where bonuses were announced for the Departments who delivered on time whereas others who failed to achieve the targets, were penalised.
“The Local Government system introduced in KP has transferred powers to the grassroots level and the same will now be implemented across the country,” Mr Khan said.
“My Government is also committed to bring about police reforms in other Provinces with the help of respective Provincial Governments just like the PTI-led Government had introduced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
He said the Provincial administration had made the police force function on professional lines, and he would take the advice of former Inspector General of Police in KP, Nasir Durrani in extending these reforms to other areas.
Islamabad, 20 August, 2018
