ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS OF 1973

In 1972 the Government of Pakistan appointed an Administrative Reform Committee to study

the role of civil bureaucracy in the context of socio economic political development of the
country and formulate recommendations. The recommendations of the committee were taken
into consideration seriously by the government and formulated the Administrative Reforms of
1973. These were announced by then Prime Minister Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in widely
publicized address to nation.
The Bhutto regime proposed sweeping reforms in the public service structure of Pakistan. For
the first time in the history of Pakistan, a government could muster the political will to change
the power structure through administrative reforms. The Bhutto regime was able to implement
far reaching administrative reforms with relative ease and in very short span of time. The reasons
for this success were first; his government has come to power through a free election with an
overwhelming mandate. Second; the leader of the government enjoyed national status and was
personally very popular among the masses. Third a relatively united political party provided a
legitimate power base to leadership. Fourth the political leadership particularly the central
cabinet was composed of able politicians, professionals with experience, intellect and political
clout.
Following reforms were made by Bhutto Government and called as Administrative Reforms of
1973.
The abolition of service cadres, and their functional replacement by the occupational
Groups
The establishment of a Unified National Pay Scales replacing the numerous pay scales in
practice at the time of reform.
The discontinuance of the practice of reservation of posts for members of the elite cadre
such as the Civil Services of Pakistan (CSP).
The abolition of the CSP Academy.
The establishment of a joint pre-service training program.
The introduction of lateral recruitment program.
The establishment of a provision for vertical movement between cadres was also
introduced.
The creation of Federal Public Service Commission.

MAJOR ISSUES OF THE REFORMS:

The following major issues areas were identified by the administrative reform committee.

 Reservation of Posts Whether certain posts in the secretariat, district administration,

economic pool etc. should remain legally reserved for members of designated service
cadres.
Pay differentials Remuneration of officer will be based on Cadre wise scale
Status of All Pakistan services- To be modified
Status of CSP Roles function and powers of CSPs were modifie
Affective sentiments Civil Service of Pakistan was said to corrupt, inefficient and
arrogant. This issue was addressed by curtailing the elitism of service.
Lateral recruitment Provisions were made for recruitment to posts within central
superior services through competitive examination.
Horizontal movement Movement from posts of comparable levels within a given cadre
was allowed to take place to posts in other cadres.
Status of technical officers Should officers with technical training hold policy making
positions or not.
Role of Head of Department Optimal relationship between line and staff officers
favoring paramountcy of latter was modified.
Status of pre training Changes were made in pre-service training of recruits to central
superior services.
Service tribunals Service tribunals were established.
Role of FPSC FPSC was established and its role in the affairs of personnel
administration and recruitment was decided.
Status of establishment division Role of Establishment division in the whole system
was decided.

ZIA-UL-HAQ ERA
The army bureaucracy nexus emerged as predominant influence over public administration and
public policy. The first thing that was done to legitimize its assumption of power by discrediting
the powers of its predecessor. The administrative reforms introduced by Mr. Bhutto were
characterized as a politically motive and an obvious attempt to control. Following steps were
taken by the new government;
A Pay and service commission was established the question of terminating the quota and
recommended termination of quota system by a modification for 20% merit instead of
existing 10% merit reservation.
New government abolished the lateral recruitment program and Zia regime reappointed
several CSP officers who had been dismissed by Bhutto.

 Every division and district had a Martial law administrator wherever and whenever they
considered it appropriate.
Section 12-A introduced on July 3, 1980 which empowers the President to remove any
civil servant appointed or promoted from January 1, 1972 to July 5, 1977.

MUSHARRAF GOVERNMENT:
Despite the fact that Civil Services of Pakistan have been still running on the pattern set out by
British Raj (no major change has been performed), the Musharraf government started a major
reform process of it. The task was to be performed by National Commission of Government
Reforms (NCGR) under the chairmanship of Dr. Ishrat Hussain, the former governor of State
Bank of Pakistan.
The final report that was published in September 2007 stated that four CSS cadres i.e.,
Pakistan Railway Service, Pakistan Postal Service, Commerce and Trade Group, and the
Information Service of Pakistan, should be axed.
According to the recommendation, Postal and Railway Service should be made
autonomous commercial bodies, with Information Service be suspended till further
notice.
The report also highlighted broad changes in the examination system, with the
recommendation of a personality test are made part of the selection process. The
recommendations have not been implemented by the relevant authorities.

CONCLUSION
The civil service reforms are in fact mirror of our national history. Political, economic and social
conditions played important role in changing the face of civil services. Moreover, civil service is
now not the only career most desired by everyone. The character of the state has changed over
time and the role of media has become a force to be reckoned with. All these factors have made
civil service reforms essential. The good old days which are cherished by civil servants cannot
return. The new emerging realities have new challenges and opportunities for the civil service.
However, all these reforms have affected the training of the newly recruited officers.