ATM Chairman pens letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif, demands meritocracy in civil services

LAHORE: Awam Tahaffuz Movement (ATM) body headed by Chairman Dr. Naveed Elahi has requested Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to fix the situation of “meritocracy in civil services”.

In a letter addressed to the PM, the Awam Tahaffuz Movement (ATM) argued that a lack of meritocracy is one of the many reasons behind “bad governance” and “poor service delivery” in Pakistan especially in the civil service and bureaucracy.

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The Movement (ATM) highlighted that meritocracy is a significant solution for individuals hoping to achieve upward mobility through their talent and/or hard work rather than through “support or privilege”. The letter read: “In Pakistan chosen ones, especially the higher echelon, who suit the masters for their personal interests or their liking, are given preference over merit”.

Filling positions by disregarding the merit of the candidates, undermines the “neutrality” of the bureaucracy which is supposed to be a foundation for good governance in any state. Undermining credibility on the basis of preference results in a vicious cycle of succumbing to “arbitrary demands and personal interests of masters”, argued the ATM.

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Not only does this overlook the talent of those deserving of the position, it also creates an unnecessary cycle of over-ambitious candidates who are more than willing to accept “undue promotions”, by compromising their integrity and impartiality. The letter further highlighted that such a system “discourages conscientious civil servants who resist against illegal orders and have [the] courage to make right decisions and policies in the interest of the public”.

Furthermore, government officers with shady personalities, sloppy performances, and corrupt policies supported by strong lobbies have been occupying top positions in past governments. In the letter, the Awam Tahaffuz Movement (ATM)’s Chairman Dr. Naveed Elahi argued that this “amounts to murder of merit” as it “adversely affects governance and administration”.

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ATM Chairman pens letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif, demands meritocracy in civil services | Baaghi TV

On the one hand, the government is introducing a Governance Roadmap 2023 hoping to “reform” the public sector, on the other hand, those in power are continuing the tradition of favoring loyalists.

The letter further read: “Why should the public officials acquire [a] new set of skills, expertise, values, attitudes, when the criteria to attain the best posting and to retain a favorite servant is personal loyalty and proximity with the strong quarters?”

Urging the PM for action, the letter concluded by advising undue postings to be undone ensuring, one step towards meritocracy could make Pakistan a better place to live.

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