National Executive Service in the making

ISLAMABAD: The cabinet, which met on Tuesday last, discussed set of civil service and administrative restructuring reforms including the introduction of National Executive Service, appointment of dual nationals in the government and interim relief to officers of federal secretariat. Restructuring plan of the SBP, Securities and Exchange Commission, Auditor General of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance, FBR, Ministry of Planning and Development, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Competition Commission of Pakistan, CDA was also discussed in the meeting.

The cabinet was informed that the secretaries committee has been tasked to prepare report on the interim financial relief to be offered to officers of federal secretariat. The committee will also prepare recommendations for the cabinet approval on the issue of dual nationals’ appointment in the government.

In his presentation, Dr Ishrat Hussain also informed the cabinet that his task force is working with the law ministry for revision in the Rules and Business, and the Estacode- which govern the functioning of the federal government- for expeditious decision making.

The cabinet was also told that the proposals are also under discussions for induction and recruitment in the civil services, career progression, compensation and benefits, retirement and severance, internal accountability mechanism and the formation of National Executive Service. It was said that some of these proposals are pending with the Prime Minister’s Office while work on others will be completed by June this year.

The cabinet was told that the whole human resource value chain from induction and recruitment to retirement and severance is being completely reformed. The cabinet, it was said, has already approved reforms for training of civil servants including ex-cadre and non-cadre specialists to be organised by respective divisions; performance valuation systems based on objectives and key performance indicators; promotion policy; and appointment of technical advisers in the offices of ministers in 14 technical ministries.

In the area of e-governance, the cabinet was told that a roadmap has been prepared for e-office suite to be introduced by June 2020 in all federal ministries. Progress of restructuring of CDA was also presented while the Task Force also informed that report on reorganisation of Evacuee Property Trust Board will be submitted to the cabinet soon.

About the merger of federal ministries and divisions, it was said that Commerce and Textile Industry have been merged into one ministry while the Federal Ministry of Health has been reorganised to bring in more technical expertise. Ministry of Defence Production is also being restructured to make its organisation more commercially oriented. Postal Service Division has been merged into communication ministry.

The cabinet was told that all different federal entities scattered among various divisions have been brought together under a newly formed Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Division. Capital Administrative and Development Division (CADD) has been abolished while the Civil Aviation Authority is being divided into distinct organization, which would be responsible for the regulatory oversight and enforcement of the aviation industry while the other would manage the commercial operations of the airports. Private sector would be encouraged to enter into concession agreements.

The Auditor General of Pakistan and the Competition Commission of Pakistan are also being restructured. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has been detached from the Ministry of Finance and made autonomous under its own governing board.

Regarding the Ministry of Planning and Development, the presentation said that an independent CPEC authority has been established to coordinate and manage the projects and activities under CPEC. The Ministry has been assigned to focus on mega projects while the limits of the provinces and sectoral ministries have been enhanced. Planning ministry’s monitoring and evaluation unit is also being strengthened while Public Private Partnership Authority is also being revitalised.

Regarding the FBR, the presentation said that the policy board of the FBR has been separated and located in the Ministry of Finance. World Bank’s programme for Pakistan Raises Revenue is assisting the FBR to simplify the tax system, reduce the burden of withholding regime, harmonise tax collection across the federal government and the provinces, and to introduce automation to minimise contact between taxpayer and tax collector.

The cabinet was also informed that the tariff determination power of the FBR has been taken away and entrusted to National Tariff Commission.

In the Ministry of Finance, Debt Management Coordination Unit, Treasury Office, Fiscal and Macroeconomic Coordination United are being set up drawing domain specialists in their respective fields to improve cash and debt management and fiscal and macro policy formation and monitoring.

In regard to State Bank of Pakistan reform, the cabinet was told that the law will be amended by September 2020 to strengthen autonomy, governance and mandate of the SBP. Formation of Corporate Restructuring Company for revival of sick industries has been done.

About the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the cabinet was told that policy board of the Commission has been revamped and will consist of eminent members and to be chaired by a private sector expert rather than the secretary finance.