Pakistan is to follow India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in conferring civil awards to civil servants (commonly known as Baboos) under the Decorations Act, 1975, sources in Cabinet Division told Business Recorder. The civil awards, instituted under Article 259(2) of the Constitution are regulated under Decorations Act 1975.
Each year's awards, after approval of the President, are announced on the Independence Day (14 August) and conferred on the following Pakistan Day (March 23). Sources said that a summary was submitted for consideration of the Prime Minister, recommending that civil servants may also be considered for conferment of national civil awards in pursuance of decision taken in the Secretaries' Committee, held on September 13, 2007.
Prime Minister's Secretariat directed that views/comments of the provinces may also be obtained before placement of the matter before the Cabinet. According to sources, all the provinces unanimously endorsed the proposal. However, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Division opined that an amendment in article 259 of the Constitution would be required to confer awards on civil servants.
Cabinet Division re-submitted the summary to the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister-in-Charge, seeking approval to place the matter before the Cabinet. However, Prime Minister Secretariat directed for reconsideration of the proposal in the light of Law and Justice Division's advice. Cabinet Division then referred the case to the Attorney General of Pakistan who contested the opinion of the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Division and supported the Cabinet Division's stance.
Sources further stated that the case was then submitted by Secretary, Law, to the Minister, seeking his opinion, vis-à-vis the viewpoint of Attorney General of Pakistan. The then Minister of State of Law supported the views of Attorney General of Pakistan, who had observed that it is not necessary to make any amendment in the Constitution for the purpose of conferring national awards (civil) on civil servants.
Later, in January, 2010, Prime Minister Secretariat further instructed to draw a comparison of the proposal with the similar provision being practised in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Cabinet Division obtained and submitted to the Prime Minister, who directed that the matter should be placed before the Cabinet.
In line with Rule 16 of the Rules of Business, 1973, Cabinet Division has submitted the following proposals to the Cabinet: (i) civil servants may be considered for conferment of awards within the existing system of civil awards and; (ii) after obtaining views of all administrative Divisions, provincial governments and other concerned government departments/organisations, the main Awards Committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, comprising selected Federal Secretaries with five provincial Chief Secretaries shall consider these cases and submit suitable recommendations to the Prime Minister in order to advise the President to accord approval.