These days the debate about civil servants salary structure and lack of ideological and sacrificial spirit in them is filling the space of print media.
When it comes to service delivery and institutionalism, everyone looks up to civil servants who actually run the administrative machinery of the country. But ironically their name is associated with corruption. It may be the case but in order to put this country on progressive track, their services are indispensable. But when they would be underpaid, they would be discontented, thus their service delivery would be less and temptation for corruption would be more.
Furthermore, mediocrity would rule due to brain drain, an already burning issue. It is causing weak policy making and poor administration. This would neither contribute in strengthening institutionalism nor would improve Pakistans image. All this would ultimately affect an already dilapidated common man. So far as the temptation for going corrupt is concerned among the young civil servants, it cant be ignored that the cost of living is touching sky and civil servants are human also. This in no way justifies corruption and other illegal practices but it is a strong temptation to go this way.
This gives way to inherent dichotomy and frustration, which Pakistan hardly affords today. Thus, improving their salary structure would be in the better interests of the country if viewed with foresight.
HINA PERVAIZ
Lahore
