Sindh demands representation in promotion board of officers to BS 22

KARACHI: The Sindh Government has sought provincial representation in the High-Powered Selection Board (HPSB) for the promotion of civil servants to the highest grade 22 through its reconstitution.

Through an official letter by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a copy of which is available with The News, he requested provincial representation in the High-Powered Selection Board (HPSB) for the promotion of civil servants to BPS-22.

In his letter CM Shah was of the view that the promotion of civil servants to the highest grade is of significant concern to the provincial governments and merits urgent consideration to uphold the constitutional role of civil services under Article 240.

Referring to the 2010 ‘promotion rules’ CM Shah said currently, the HPSB comprises the Prime Minister (Chairman), Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, Establishment Division, and the Administrative Secretary as co-opted members. This, he objected overly supports a centralized mechanism as the provincial representation is visibly missing despite a constitutional stake in the governance. Murad Ali Shah said despite an amendment in rules in 2017 making provision for the prime minister to invite federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisors to the PM, SAPM and BS 22 officers for consultation, no effort was made to include the representation of the provinces as well.

He reminded the PM that the officers from the All Pakistan Services’ i.e., Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) play a crucial role in implementing the policies of the provincial governments.

Against this backdrop, the Sindh chief minister said it is both logical and beneficial for the provinces to have a say in their promotions to BPS-22.

He proposed to the prime minister to reconstitute the composition of the High-Powered Selection Board through an amendment to include the CMs and chief secretaries, only BPS-22, of each province. This would not only enrich the decision-making process with local insights but would also enhance the harmonious relations between the provinces and the federation.