ISLAMABAD: Setting political differences aside the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has extended full support to the federal government’s civil services reform initiative.
Provincial information minister Mushtaq Ghani asserted that change could only come if citizens are involved in governance.
Speaking of the initiatives taken by the KP government, he referred to the laws regarding right to information, right to public service, conflict of interest law, public private partnership law, grievance system and E-governance.
These initiatives, he stated, will empower the public and bring transparency to government operations. The minister praised the federal government’s reforms initiative to ensure meaningful change, offering support of the political leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the government of KP.
Secretary Establishment Department of KP highlighted the importance the PTI political leadership has attached to anti-corruption measures. In this regard he mentioned the recent formation of Ehtisaab commission, reform in thana culture and anti-encroachment steps.
The leadership has reformed the system to make transfers of civil servants on merit only. Federal secretary planning, development and reforms, Hasan Nawaz Tarar said Vision 2015, a guiding document made in consultation with all provinces and stakeholders, underpins the need for such reforms.
The secretary said the process of consultation started from Punjab and will be conducted in all provinces. Federal minister for planning, development and reforms, Prof Ahsan Iqbal by outlining the challenges the nation faces: security and economy.
He said that in an age where paradigms of development and governance are changing. The old rules of industrial revolution are dying and a new knowledge economy is emerging.
The minister stressed that Vision 2025 was the nation’s vision. Judging by economic indicators, Pakistan is a middle-income country in terms of per capita income.
However, the social indicators represent a bleak picture as Pakistan is in the category of least developed countries in the world in terms of education, health, sanitation and poverty.
They should make citizens the king, just as businesses make customers the king.
Since no reform can succeed unless it has the buy-in of the stakeholders, the minister encouraged the honest and candid input of participants.
Internews
