ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the government is looking to inject private sector talent into crucial ministries to overhaul their functioning. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for experts to take charge of federal secretaries’ positions in areas such as economic affairs, finance, and energy, signaling a shift away from traditional bureaucratic appointments.
An advertisement released over the weekend revealed the government’s plan to hire seven experienced professionals from the private sector to head key ministries, although the advertisement did not specify which divisions are involved or provide detailed job descriptions. The positions being targeted include secretaries for the Finance, Petroleum, Power, Planning, Industries and Production, National Food Security, and Vocational Education and Training Divisions, all of which are currently managed by senior officials from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS).
Prime Minister Sharif has also formed a ministerial committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, to finalize nominations for executive directors at the World Bank in Washington and the Asian Development Bank in Manila. The committee is tasked with selecting qualified officers for Grade-22 bureaucratic posts to represent Pakistan at these international financial institutions.
The advertisement, posted on the Establishment Division’s website, invites applications for various roles, including Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs), Technical Advisers, and heads of organizations in key economic areas. The government has set a two-week deadline for interested candidates to submit their applications.
Although the advertisement did not specify which ministries would be affected, the move indicates the government’s intent to bring in individuals from the private sector to lead ministries that manage Pakistan’s economy. These ministries have long been criticized for being led by bureaucrats without sufficient expertise in economic matters.
Economic Affairs and Establishment Minister Ahad Khan Cheema explained that the government aims to create a pool of specialists for top positions in economic ministries. This shift comes in response to concerns about the current administration’s ability to address the complexities of economic governance effectively.
Pakistan’s economic ministries have traditionally been run by officers from the PAS, but critics argue that many of these bureaucrats lack the expertise to handle intricate economic issues. The government’s attempt to involve private sector professionals is seen as a step to remedy this governance gap, which has been a barrier to attracting foreign investment.
However, there are concerns that private sector professionals, with no experience in public administration, may not be able to navigate the intricacies of running government ministries. Public sector roles, particularly in economic ministries, often require extensive lobbying and political acumen, areas where private sector experts may struggle.
Former Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad expressed skepticism about the proposal, suggesting that it would not work as intended. He argued that public sector finance requires a unique understanding of the constraints of a deficit economy, which cannot be managed effectively by individuals without experience in public finance.
The government plans to sign two-year performance-based contracts with the selected individuals. The advertisement also outlined the criteria for applicants, including a minimum of 20 years of relevant experience and a maximum age limit of 60. Candidates will be compensated in accordance with government rules, with allowances and privileges aligned with market-competitive rates.
In addition to hiring new secretaries, the government is also focusing on appointing suitable officers for two significant positions—executive director at the World Bank and executive director at the ADB. These positions became vacant after Dr. Tauqir Shah, Pakistan’s former executive director at the World Bank, was appointed as an adviser to the prime minister, and the tenure of Noor Ahmad, the ADB executive director, expired.
Among the top contenders for these roles are senior bureaucrats such as Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal, Economic Affairs Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz, and Interior Secretary Khurram Agha. The committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, will assess candidates based on their qualifications in policy analysis, leadership, collaboration, and communication, with the final recommendations being sent to the prime minister for approval.
As the government moves forward with these changes, questions remain about how effectively private sector talent will integrate into the complex world of public sector governance.
