Qureshi’s candidacy for NSPP rector irks bureaucracy

LAHORE: Voices of concern are being raised in the bureaucratic circles over the candidacy of Establishment Secretary Ismail Qureshi, the prime minister’s only choice, for the rector of the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), which is an apex public sector institute for training the highest echelons of the civil service and senior executives from the private sector.
It appears that the nomination of Qureshi, already on extension after his retirement, is set to sail through the board of governors any time. It is the primary responsibility of the board to find a most suitable person for the office of the rector after thorough deliberation among its members, evaluating the credentials of each candidate critically.
“Even the board is in great hurry to approve his name as rector,” a board member disclosed, requesting not to be named. But if the concerns of the stakeholders are taken into account, it seemed that the board too is fixed on the candidacy of Qureshi. “All the exercise done by the board has only a face value and that the decision has already been taken,” disclosed a senior bureaucrat privy to the ongoing selection process.
The board has already held two meetings, the last taking place on November 23, to consider the nomination of a new rector for the school. The next meeting will be held on November 29. Sources said that in the last meeting, the criterion for the selection was laid out before the board. The criterion was developed by two-member committee consisting of Syed Fakhar Imam and former bureaucrat Qamar Baig.
“It seemed that criteria finalised by the two-member committee was developed keeping in mind the credentials of Qureshi when it comes to experience and age factors,” the sources sai. With the president as its chairman, the board includes secretaries of finance and establishment as its members.
Other four members include two eminent stakeholders in public policy from the private sector, Fakhrar Imam and Qamar Baig and two distinguished academicians, Ayesha Jilal and Hafeez Pasha. Interestingly, the board is not considering any other name for the office of the rector. Even the option of extending the tenure of outgoing rector Lt Gen (r) Javed Hassan is out of the question, despite his services in establishing the institution and making it a success story, as the bureaucracy and political leadership want to restore the supremacy of civil bureaucracy over the institution being run by a general for the last five years.
It was learnt that a senior military official too was in the race, but was given no consideration so far. The confirmation of Qureshi’s name is being sought from the board at a time when its two members, Ayesha Jilal and Hafeez Pasha, are abroad and cannot participate in the selection process. The board has also not made any attempt to seek their input while they are away.
The sources said that the president did not like the idea of nomination of Ismail Qureshi initially. “But when the prime minister showed special interest in his candidacy and presented the case where his advice was binding on president after the 18th Amendment, the president did not persist with his opposition,” the sources revealed.
The prime minister’s principal secretary, Nargas Sethi, is the biggest supporter of Qureshi. There are also rumours that she has set her eyes on the office of Establishment Secretary once Qureshi leaves. However, bureaucratic sources critical of Qureshi’s nomination said that he would be a weak choice to replace a towering personality like Javed Hasan.
“The way he (Qureshi) handled the promotion of 54 officers to grade 22, reversed later by the chief justice speaks volumes of his abilities. He never stood up to the irregularities committed by the prime minister’s office in granting promotion to these officers,” a senior civil servant remarked.
“The journey of NSPP from its conception and nascent stages to the present adolescence, approaching adulthood was possible because of the drive and untiring efforts of its Lt Gen (r) Javed Hassan. If the momentum is broken at this time, the goals might become distant. The choice before the board is vital and will make or mar the shape of things,” he commented.