Name: Aneela Ehsan

Roll no: 04
Class: BPA 4th Year
Subject: Comparative Public Administration

Administrative Reforms in Pakistan

The phrase ‘administrative reform’ has been widely used with at least two broad meanings. In
one regard it has been synonymous with administrative change, describing the variety of
important revisions of administrative practice and organization that all administrative entities
engage in from time to time. Defined in this way it has no necessary time, directional or
content bias.
Administrative reform is a political process designed to adjust the relationships between a
bureaucracy and other elements in a society, or within the bureaucracy itself.
A different use of the phrase has grown out of efforts to assist in the modernization of new
and developing nations. From this perspective administrative reform has taken on a far more
specific content bias and direction than is inferred by the other meaning discussed. It is
conceived of as the implanting in the developing nations of administrative technology mainly
derived from the Western nations. it is based on the confidence ‘that developed societies in
the West have achieved administrative capabilities that are transferable to developing
countries’, and that such ‘administrative improvement or upgrading is ipso facto desirable
and should be carried out wherever possible at the most rapid feasible rate.’
Education Reform:
To combat religious extremism and sectarian violence, Pakistan must reform its education
sector by boosting resources to public schools and updating the school curriculum to improve
quality and remove divisive and discriminatory narratives. The eighteenth constitutional
amendment devolved legislative and executive authority over education to the provinces to
make it more responsive to local needs. Given the scale of those needs, donors and the private
sector must be key partners, but provincial governments need to become the principal drivers
of reform. The new education reforms, which are the talk of the town, nowadays are being
appreciated by some and opposed by others. The reforms promise a uniform education
system across Pakistan (the exception being O/A levels systems). Introduction of a uniform
curriculum throughout the country is a welcome step as it would mean better textbooks and
good education, providing an even playing field to all students. The reforms aim to streamline
religious education as well by improving their current curricula. Under the reforms, the
madrassahs will teach the normal educational curriculum alongside the Holy Quran and
related religious books. The reforms will start from class 1 and gradually make its way to the
college level. The Education Minister Mr Shafqat Mehmood said that same books will be
taught in all educational institutions at primary level by 2021. By 2023 the uniform education
system will be implemented up to matric as well as college levels. The education minister
clarified that the government would do “necessary legislation” to implement this new
education system in the country
Health Sector Reforms:
The reforms introduced in the health sector were meant to pave the way for transparency and
a system of check and balance where the performers would be rewarded and those showing
laxity would face action, he said. “The Sehat Sahulat Programmed introduced by the PTI
government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has now been extended to other provinces to provide
free health services to the downtrodden masses in public and private hospitals,” he said. “The
program has created an atmosphere of competition between public and private hospitals and
as a result people would receive quality services.”The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and
Cancer Hospitals which had been recognized at the global level for the standard of services
provided to the patients. Panel: Examples of Health programs in Pakistan that have been
hampered by policy:
• Tawana Pakistan Project
• Women’s Health Project
• Family Health Project
• Social Action Program
• National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in
Pakistan
• District Health Authorities Initiative
• District Health Government Initiative
• People’s Primary Health Care Initiative
Electoral reform

Almost after 70 years of its independence from United Kingdom in 1947, Pakistani
government yet failed to conduct a single fair election through unanimously accepted voting
process by its public. In fact, final results of elections were challenged many time by losing
parties based on their complaints of election rigging due to bogus old fashioned voting
system. This situation was found more worsen during the last election held in 2013, when all
political parties blamed for ballot theft and party voters were on streets for their political
protests. The rigging allegations have been a common phenomenon in Pakistan over the
period. Consequently, despite of the political and social differences; there is recognition
among all local and international stakeholders that electoral reforms are vital and essential to
sustain democracy in Pakistan. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) prepared and
unveiled a 5-year strategic 2010-2014 to improve the election process as part of electoral
reforms electing international election standards consists of total of 129 objectives are listed
under 15 strategic goals.14

The formation of a Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, of

representatives of all major political parties, offers a platform to seize this opportunity and
develop an agenda addressing the grievances and aspiration of all stakeholders, including
citizens.

In Pakistan, electoral reforms, will count for very little unless the Election Commission is
given full independence and sufficient resources to exert its authority over all aspects of
electoral administration and to ensure reforms are properly implemented.

Polling procedures should be improved and accountability mechanisms for candidates and
political parties improved; and dysfunctional election tribunals, characterized by excessive
delays and widespread corruption, should be urgently reformed... Based on consultation with
parties, a binding code of conduct is established in law or under ECP regulations. The ECP
and other responsible state authorities respond swiftly to complaints, and proactively and
publicly enforce the code of conduct.

The EU Election Observation Mission made SO recommendations to improve the election

process, drawing attention to the critical legislative role that the Parliament must play in order
to ensure that future elections are credible, transparent and inclusive.'

Civil Service Reform

The civil service in Pakistan is not a “mandarin” civil service with specialized cadres,
training and required professional qualification and/or certification, but rather is generalist in
nature. Initial postings and training in the field occur in administrative districts. Once this
phase is completed, the officer can be posted in any department or agency, across the broad
spectrum of government service, with subsequent transfers also occurring usually without any
reference to previous experience or academic qualification. The academic background and
experience of selected cadre is eclectic and diverse rather than specialized. This is not in sync
with the requirements of a modern bureaucracy where a specialized cadre is required in areas
of economic governance, dealing with public financial management, revenue administration,
audit, commerce and trade, corporate affairs and governance, capital markets, and insurance.
In addition to the specialized cadre, one stream of civil servants can be generalist in nature,
designed for administrative functions such as district administration, secretariat functions,
manning non-specialized line ministries etc. A number of attempts have been made over the
years to introduce civil service reform. A detailed blue-print for civil service reforms was
presented in 2008 in the report of the National Commission for Government Reforms
(NCGR) headed by Dr.Ishrat Husain. The main recommendations were:
 Open, transparent merit – based recruitment to all levels and grades of public services
with Regional Representation as laid down in the constitution.

 .Performance – based promotions and career progression for all public sector
employees with compulsory training at post induction, m id-career and senior
management levels.
 .Equality of opportunities for career advancement to all employees without
preferences or reservations for any particular class.

 Replacement of the concept of Superior Services by equality among all cadres and
non-cadres of public servants.
Institutional Reform
An institutional reform generally implies any structural or functional change introduced
in any institution aiming to improve its performance, efficiency, or service quality etc. In
Pakistan, “institutional reform” has been one of the most commonly employed and
equally abused term since its inception in 1947. In reality, no civilian or military regime
in the country has ever seriously endeavored to overhaul or improve the performance of
public sector institutions despite the fact that most of them have just become the lame
ducks. There is certainly a dire need to introduce some basal reforms in a number of
public institutions including the local governments, civil administration, tax
administration, police, anti-graft watchdogs, regulators, and public sector enterprises
(PSEs) etc. Likewise, the country’s education, healthcare, judicial, electoral and
democratic structures also need a serious overhaul.
As a matter of fact, institutional reforms and public governance have been my favorite
topics as a columnist. I have produced a number of pieces on public policy and
governance in Pakistan. Since these issues have a direct impact on the lives of Pakistanis,
I will further try to dwell on them once or twice a month. However, such endeavors could
only be worthwhile if the government takes the lead in seriously overhauling the
dilapidated structures of our public sector institutions and departments. Reforming an
institution is definitely a herculean task for anyone. Institutions, just like individuals, are
inherently conservative that often oppose every change. There is bunch of civil
bureaucrats in the country who would be resisting any significant change in the structure
or functions of some public institutions and government departments since they are the
major beneficiaries of this status quo. Therefore, a strong political will and resolution on
the part of incumbent government would be required to drastically reform these
institutions.
Good governance is obviously not a rocket science in the contemporary world.
Devolution of power and grassroots level empowerment are the basic elements of good
governance all over the world. Many civilized and advanced countries have evolved some
efficient and smart local government institutions through empowering their local
communities. These institutions are actively providing education and healthcare facilities
in addition to civic amenities to local inhabitants. They are also playing a pivotal role in
maintaining law and order and combating crimes in the localities. The local government
institutions are an integral part of the governance structure in each civilized country
whether it is a federal or a unitary state, a republic or a monarchy. Thus, the efficiency
and maturity of the local government institutions essentially distinguish a developed
country from a developing one.
Governance Reforms in Pakistan:
Pakistan is a resourceful country and has immense potential for growth, progress and
prosperity. Our people are diligent, capable and ingenious. We have a natural resource base
richer and more diversified than many developed countries. Modern institutional structures
also exist to generate and sustain rapid economic development. What is of paramount
importance is the creation of an enabling environment in which public-sector institutions and
private-sector enterprises can perform optimally to establish rule of law and accelerate social
and economic development .The process of reform will be resisted by vested interests. In
order to ensure successful implementation, it is essential that the organs of the state do not
identify themselves with various interest groups and act independently in the larger public
interest. Only an autonomous state –a state that can avoid capture by vested interests –can
implement meaningful reform.
Reforms should come not as ad-hoc, piecemeal measures, but as building blocks of a
comprehensive, long-term strategy, addressing a whole set of issues relating to governance –
rule of law, revival of institutions, efficient management of public resources, creation of an
enabling environment for private sector activity, human resource management, and respect
for fundamental human rights. This is essential to ensure consistency, continuity, and
sustainability.
In the aftermath of 18th Constitutional amendment, governance reform agenda emphasis on
new paradigm , that is, improving governance, strengthening institutions, fostering markets
and initiating reforms in the areas of performance evaluation, service delivery, civil service,
judicial systems and procedures, tax administration, procurement, financial management,
police, e-governance, open government, enforcing property rights, and Public Sector
Enterprises. This will be done by building consensus on major national issues and bringing a
real change in institutions, political culture and socio-economic conditions in the country