Political influence

The revelation of a report by Shikarpur SSP Dr Rizwan accusing a sitting provincial minister of colluding with criminals has exacerbated the recent tension between the IGP Sindh Kaleem Imam and the Sindh government. The civil service was once considered to be the most prestigious and independent service but has been steadily degraded at the hands of its political masters. If senior PSP officers are compelled to work as per the desire of local politicians, in contravention of the law, then we forsake all hope of good governance.

If senior officers can be humiliated and booted out from their postings for merely doing their jobs as per the law how can we expect future generations to want to pursue a career in the civil service? This boorish and unjust treatment meted out to upright and meritorious officers will further demoralize the civil services. The federal government, which claims to be the champion of change and accountability, should introduce legislation to protect the independence of the civil bureaucracy and to purge it of outside influence.

Tariq Majeed Advocate

Hyderabad