According to media reports, the Office Management Group officers of the Establishment Division have prepared a petition against extensions recently granted to senior bureaucrats after reaching the age of superannuation. They have argued that these extensions are against the February 2011 observations of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on the issue. In legal context, the petition of OMG has substance and relevance. There should be no extension in service beyond the age of superannuation. This policy vitiates against the interests of serving officers in the line of promotion.
However, the sanctity of superannuation age stipulated in the Civil Servants Act 1973 is debatable. In Japan and some other countries, the age of superannuation is 65. With change in average age in Asian countries and socio-economic pressures in Pakistan, there is need to revisit the superannuation age for civil servants, military officers and other government functionaries. The parliament may discuss the issue and amend the law in the prescribed manner. There should be no arbitrariness in the matter of extension in service.
One comes across many octogenarians active in the private sector. It is a common sight professionals working beyond 75. In legal community age is a positive factor. TV screens prove it.
A message of Dr Shigeaki Hinirama of Japan, who is working diligently at the age of 101 as a physician and educator in Tokyo, is being circulated on the social media that one should lead active life and keep working till the last day of his life to keep healthy and productive. There are many bureaucrats in the government who believe in and follow this philosophy. I think they are the healthiest and happiest persons in Pakistan.
ASGHAR MAHMOOD
Islamabad