Merit over politics: Punjab’s bureaucratic appointments no more a dispute between PML-N, PPP

ISLAMABAD: The long-standing disagreement between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) over political appointments in Punjab’s bureaucracy has been resolved, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s firm stance on merit-based selections no longer an irritant between the two parties.

Despite earlier tensions, the issue did not even surface during the high-level meeting between the PMLN and PPP in Lahore on Saturday, where both the parties sought to iron out their differences. Confirming this, Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the meeting took place in a positive atmosphere, and there was now mutual understanding on the chief minister’s policy of appointing bureaucrats purely on merit. She confirmed that appointments in bureaucracy is no more an issue either for the PPP or for the PMLN MPs.

Soon after assuming office, Maryam Nawaz had declared that appointments in the civil bureaucracy including the administration and police would be strictly based on merit, rejecting any political interference, even from within the PMLN. While some initially doubted whether she could withstand political pressure, she has remained unwavering in her commitment to depoliticising key appointments.

PPP leaders from Punjab had previously demanded a share in administrative and police appointments in areas where they had won elections. However, the chief minister stood firm, making it clear that even PMLN’s own members of the national and provincial assemblies (MNAs and MPAs) could not influence civil service appointments.

According to sources, this policy initially unsettled many within the PMLN and PPP, but it is now widely accepted as a necessary reform. The provincial government has reassured PPP leaders that while they may not receive political appointments, all selections will be made fairly, ensuring that the qualified candidates get the positions.

Last year, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman told this correspondent that bureaucratic appointments in the province are now 100 percent depoliticised. He confirmed that no external recommendations or political pressure, even from PMLN leadership, are entertained in matters of transfers and postings.

The chief minister personally interviews and selects officers for key positions, whether in field administration or the provincial secretariat. The Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD) presents a panel of three candidates for each post, and Maryam Nawaz selects one based on their past performance and interview. The chief secretary further revealed that officers attempting to use political connections for postings are immediately marked red and removed from consideration.