Publication Date

7-13-2011

Description

My remarks this afternoon will be divided into three parts. First, I will dwell on the question: Why reform the Civil Service? What is the rationale and justification for reform? Second, if it is necessary what should be the end-result of the reform and what needs to be done to achieve this objective. Third, what should be the phasing and sequencing of various reforms if there is an agreement on the need, the objective and the content of the reforms. The overall governance structure is important because it is through this structure that economic policies are intermediated and translated into economic and social benefits for the vast majority of the population. This can be compared to a water system whereby water is gushing out of the tap but if the pipe through which water is conveyed is corroded, leaking or clogged then those expecting water at the other end of the pipe would either only get a trickle or water of unhygienic quality that is not usable for drinking, cooking, bathing and other uses of human consumption. So we may have rapid rates of economic growth, i.e. the water at the tap is gushing out with full pressure but if the benefits of economic growth are either hijacked on the way by those running the institutions of governance in their own favor or favor of their cronies and supporters ( leaking) or those institutions are dysfunctional (clogged), or access is available only through connections or money (corroded), the majority of the population would be deprived of the basic public goods and services to which they are entitled as citizens of the state. Of course, the governance structure consists besides the Executive of other organs such as judiciary and legislature but the highest impact on day to day life is created by the Executive branch of the state. The present discussion will therefore focus on the Executive branch whose main pillar is the Civil Service.

Notes

Address at the International Conference on Economic Growth in Pakistan organized by the Planning Commission at Islamabad on July 13, 2011

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