ISLAMABAD: In a high-stakes manoeuvre set to shake up the country’s entrenched bureaucracy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered the swift formulation of bold recommendations for a game-changing, comprehensive system to evaluate the performance of federal secretaries, setting the stage for a dramatic overhaul of the country’s civil service.
Emphasising the urgent need for reforms, he stressed that aligning the civil service with international standards was no longer optional but essential for improving governance. He emphasised that these bold, sweeping changes were not just necessary, but absolutely crucial to propel the country’s civil administration to the forefront of global standards.
While chairing a high-level meeting on proposed civil service reforms, the PM made it clear that rewarding top-performing officers was not just a luxury – it is vital for the rejuvenation of the entire civil service.
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“Recognising excellence will be a game-changer,” he said, adding that such recognition would drive critical improvements throughout the bureaucracy.
The PM’s directives were part of a broader strategy to revamp the civil service, with a clear focus on performance evaluations across ministries. Sharif emphasised that these reforms were pivotal not only for modernising the civil service but also for enhancing the quality of public service delivery, which directly impacts the lives of the people.
“The ultimate goal of these reforms,” he remarked, “is to ensure tangible improvements in public service delivery, which are essential for national economic stability and social harmony – the key pillars of the country’s progress.”
Sharif tasked the relevant committee with swiftly developing reform recommendations that are both evolutionary and effective.
These reforms, he indicated, will include proposals for promotion, financial incentives, and other rewards based on performance evaluations.
The PM also stressed the need for conducting meaningful consultations with key stakeholders in the civil administration and other relevant groups to ensure the reforms are inclusive and practical.
“These consultations will help align the performance and skill sets of civil servants with the evolving demands of modern governance while maintaining global standards,” he added.
He also directed the committee to propose actionable recommendations that will significantly improve public service delivery and governance.
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The meeting was attended by key cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, as well as the chief secretaries of all provinces and senior government officials.
The proposed civil service reforms are part of the government’s long-term vision to strengthen governance and improve public welfare, setting the stage for a more efficient and accountable state apparatus in the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026