PAKISTAN
In a major blow to the new Pakistan Federal Government, Provincial Public Servants say they will not cooperate with a taskforce created to push through reforms of the bureaucracy.
The announcement came after former State Bank of Pakistan Governor, Ishrat Hussain (pictured), who is heading the taskforce created by Prime Minister, Imran Khan, met representatives of the Provincial Civil Service (PCS).
Afterwards the PCS officers termed the meeting an “eyewash and a sham” and announced they would reject any reforms the task force might suggest.
The PCS Officers’ Association said they had been ignored, with the taskforce comprising only officers from the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS).
“When that matter was raised in the meeting, Dr Hussain responded less than positively to it, noting that the issue could be resolved through a consultative process,” the Association said.
“Since Dr Hussain is biased towards the PAS cadre and not ready to consider the view of the 4,000 Provincial Officers across Pakistan, this Association declares today’s consultation as a sham and believes that these reforms will be superficial and will result in nothing concrete.”
The PCS officers said that unless their demands were met, they would reject all measures proposed as reforms by the Committee and would agitate across Pakistan.
Islamabad, 11 October 2018
