The government is considering to make institutional arrangements for restructuring the Civil Service of Pakistan and allowing inter-group movement (lateral entry).
Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division told National Assembly in a written reply on Monday that pursuant to Administrative Reforms undertaken during 1973-1976 by the then federal government, various occupational groups were constituted. The Establishment Division’s Office Memorandum dated April 12, 1976 as amended from time to time, provided that the appointment to the post of deputy secretary would be made by horizontal movement from other occupational groups of Grade-19 officers who had been recommended by the ministries/divisions/departments or provincial governments and found fit by the Central Selection Board.
He further said that the appointment to the post of deputy secretary might be made by promotion of Grade-18 officers of the OMG and Secretariat Group on the recommendations of the Central Selection Board. The post can also be filled by direct appointment on the recommendation of federal public service commission of persons possessing such qualifications and experience etc, as may be prescribed.
The minister further said that in accordance with the provision for horizontal movement from other occupational groups, “some appointments were made in the past on case-to-case basis. Presently, the government is considering making institutional arrangements for such appointments. Final decision is yet to be taken in that respect.”
Federal Minister Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din told the house that the government was seriously considering blocking ‘Facebook’ and other unethical websites in the country in view of its negative impact on society.
He was responding to a query put by PML-N MNA Shereen Arshad during the question hour in the house. The lady MNA had invited the attention of the government towards the issue saying ‘Facebook’ and other unethical websites were banned in Dubai and questioned why the Pakistani government not taking same kind of step.
The National Assembly was informed that the target date for verification of degrees/educational documents of federal government employees had been extended till August 8. “Initially the target time for the exercise was 60 days (starting from the date of issuing instructions for carrying out the exercise; March 8,2011,” said Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division in a written reply.
In the verification process none was declared as fake degree holder as yet, it was further clarified. He said that if such cases come to the notice of the concerned ministry, necessary action would be taken as per rules.
It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in an official announcement had directed the Establishment Division to verify educational certificates of the employees working in all federal government institution. He reportedly had also set a two-month deadline from February 5 for the verification of educational degrees.
The verification of degrees of approximately 18,869 federal government officers (BS-17 and above) and more than 64000 officers of autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporation and others are involved, and exercise has been divided into two phases.
