💼 Pakistan to Launch ‘Smart Civil Service’ Reform Ahsan Iqbal unveils plan for performance-driven, tech-based governance model

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has announced that the government is preparing to launch a new “Smart Civil Service Model” aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and innovation within Pakistan’s public sector. The initiative seeks to modernize governance through digital transformation, merit-based recruitment, and performance-driven policies.

Speaking at the opening session of a three-day international conference titled “Local Realities and Regional Futures: Transforming Public Administration and Management in South Asia,” Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan’s existing civil service structure is “no longer capable of addressing modern challenges.”

The event was hosted by the Punjab University Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS) in collaboration with the South Asian Network for Public Administration (SANPA) at the Riazuddin Auditorium.

Ahsan Iqbal’s Vision for Civil Service Reform

The minister highlighted that today’s world demands governance rooted in expertise, transparency, and innovation.

“The era of generalist skills is over,” Iqbal stated. “Pakistan now needs a professional and results-oriented bureaucracy that values merit, embraces technology, and stays focused on serving the people.”

He added that under the upcoming Smart Civil Service framework, recruitment and training programs will align with specific professional qualifications, while promotions will depend on measurable performance, leadership skills, and continuous learning.

Collaboration and Regional Innovation

Iqbal proposed that Punjab University establish ‘public policy labs’ where students and policymakers can work together on real governance challenges. He also suggested forming a ‘South Asian Governance Innovation Network’ to encourage regional cooperation and exchange of policy knowledge across South Asia.

Expert Opinions from the Conference

Prof Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Advisor Special Assistant to Bangladesh’s government, cautioned that reforms should be adapted to local needs rather than imported from abroad. He pointed out that the pursuit of high-paying positions has distorted governance priorities and stressed the need to enhance Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio to achieve greater economic independence.

Meanwhile, Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah questioned why the country’s administrative structure has remained largely unchanged since independence.

“Our bureaucracy must truly serve the public,” he said, noting that Pakistan might need to rebuild its system from the ground up, similar to Bangladesh’s example.

He also warned against copying Western models without considering Pakistan’s social and economic context, explaining that the current system “empowers the powerful and weakens the poor.”

Participants and Closing Remarks

The conference brought together key figures from across South Asia, including Bangladeshi High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan, IAS Director Prof Dr Kashif Rathore, SANPA representative Prof Dr Ikhlaq Haq, Prof Dr Yamina Salman, along with numerous scholars and students.