Bokhari calls for positive initiatives to ensure change

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Nayyer Hussain Bokhari Thursday said civil servants should act as change agents by taking positive initiatives and provision of crucial inputs for formulation and implementation of national policy in various sectors.

Addressing the participants of 14th Mid Career Management Course as Chief Guest on the certificate awarding ceremony held at National Institute of Management, he said it is not only imperative for improving public service delivery but also help to alleviate sufferings of common man.

The Chairman said, "We need to give the people of Pakistan hope and not despair, give them trust and not fear. Each one of you has to make a contribution to lift the spirit of the people you serve and you can do it through delivering to public and catering for their needs."

He said that everyone must be driven by inner passion and faith in the State and the commitment to serve the country.

The Chairman said as functionaries of the State, the first and foremost responsibility civil servants is to perform your duty with honor, integrity, justice and fair play.

He said State expects constructive effort, selfless work and steadfast devotion to duty from civil servants, and this comes out of passion to serve the people.

About the existing scenario, the Chairman said they are living in an increasingly uncertain global and regional environment.

"Polity and administration of the country is passing through a critical phase, and committed persons are needed to face the economic and administrative challenges", he added.

Commenting on the importance of the management course, he noted, "I hope it must have developed in you skills and the right attitudes for formulating, interpreting and implementing public policy, while taking into account the environment, national interests, aims and objectives and also taking into consideration opportunities and constraints of various domestic and regional factors".

The Chairman said civil servants require a dispassionate understanding of the socio-political, socio-cultural and socio-economic dynamics of the country, adding, they need to comprehend how economic policies have worked or failed to trigger distributive justice.

"Why can't we make our service delivery institutions transparent and efficient for easier access to justice to alleviate social discontent," he added.

The Chairman said despite of extensive training programs of civil servants, the perception continues to grow that the outcomes of public service delivery are declining.

The Chairman said he hoped that after attending this course the participants are well-equipped not only to know the answer to the question why all these things were not done in the past, but also, how best they can be done in the future.

Nayyer Bokhari said through this management course he opined that they are adequately sensitized to these enormous challenges and requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes have been inculcated for building their capacity as more effective, more committed, and capable public servants.

The Chairman said civil servants must make positive contributions to enhance the image of civil services and it can only be done by taking positive initiatives for change towards betterment and improved public service delivery.

He was of the view that it can be brought about through use of strength of character and strong will in order to improve the existing work culture and ethics.

The Chairman assured that this will not only help civil servants to serve the people in a better and effective way, but also enable them to make positive contributions for a prosperous and progressive country.

In the end the Chairman congratulated all the participants for successful completion of their Mid Career Management Course and distributed certificates.