A very close family friend (PAS-BS 21) got offended when I raised a few points pertaining to how the civil service is structured. My argument:
1. PAS/PMS is appropriately equipped w.r.t District Management, Maintenance of Law & Order and Enforcing the writ of the state. (-1)

(I say this in cognizance of the limited resources available to them, political pressures and the general environment in which they operate).

2. Generalist Services are unequipped to deal with the riggers of specialised sectors i.e. Public Health & Enabling Environment? (-2)

Sure, we have officials that pursue specialised degrees abroad, but do we acknowledge that most of the times, they return as "fresh graduates" to take on important roles regarding those sectors?
- They would start off at much junior positions in other parts of the world. (-3)

3. How many officials jump from one sector to the other during their service? Can one exceptional officer create change in a system that is otherwise stuck in it's ways?

I argued that the disconnect lies within the transition from District Administration to Line Depts. (-4)

4. While the ultimate goal of any Civil Servant is to become Secretary, why do we continue to place Un-Equipped Officials on positions that require a highly specialized skill set?

I'm writing this thread primarily for the consideration of younger officers. (-5)

Is the younger lot comfortable with potentially the same career profile?
Speaking to a few, I firmly believe that most of them want to "change" the way things are done?
I ask you this:
- What will be the fate of a generalist service if the system changes? (-6)

- What if multilateral and international orgajziyaons begin demanding technocrats at key decision making positions?
(The case of the SBP & Planning Commission are already great examples for this) (-7)

And towards the end, I asked my family friend this:
"Why is the Civil Service complicit in ensuring Civilian Supremacy? You can't blame other Power Clusters to jump in when a vacuum exists in policy implementation? Is it intended or fate?" (-8)

Unfortunately, no one has answers to these questions. Because the answers are obvious. I just hope Pakistan comes to terms with them before it's too late.
- Pakistan needs a system of Governance that works. It is solely the responsibility of the Executive. (-9)

I'm surprised the Task force on Civil Service Reforms missed the following:
- Supremacy of Specialized Service Groups
- Inclusion of Service Tracks & Merit Based/Technocratic Appointments.
- Reformed Operational Structure of Line Departments & Ministries/Divisions (-10)

We need to look beyond the existing setup for achieving operational efficiency in sectors that deal with the quality of life, investment climate, innovative finance, aviation, industry, energy.. the list is endless. Generalist Service Groups are just not equipped. (-11)

I don't mean to offend anyone, but as a Policy Professional & as a citizen of Pakistan, I have every right to demand reform. (-13)

The Rules of Business cannot be the holy grail of Governance if Pakistan is to succeed and compete with global leaders. (-14)