In a significant move to streamline federal administration, the Government of Pakistan has officially restricted the practice of making interim or 'acting charge' appointments for executive-level staff across all ministries. The directive, issued by the Establishment Division, specifically targets positions in Basic Pay Scale (BS) 20 and above, which include joint secretaries, additional secretaries, and heads of various autonomous bodies. For years, many critical government departments have been operating under temporary leadership, a practice that critics argue leads to indecisiveness and a lack of accountability in policy execution.
The new policy requires all ministries to initiate the process for permanent appointments at least three months before a vacancy is expected to occur. If a position becomes vacant unexpectedly, the ministry must now provide a detailed justification for any temporary arrangement and a clear timeline for a permanent replacement. The goal is to ensure that key positions are held by officers who have the full mandate and security of tenure to make long-term strategic decisions. This move is also expected to boost the morale of civil servants who have been waiting for regular promotions and placements based on their performance and seniority.
Administrative experts have welcomed the decision, noting that the reliance on interim staff has often been used to bypass regular merit-based selection processes. By enforcing a stricter timeline and requiring higher levels of transparency, the government aims to professionalize the bureaucracy and reduce political interference in executive appointments. The Establishment Division has been given a 45-day deadline to review all current acting charge appointments and present a plan for their regularization or replacement. This reform is seen as a cornerstone of the current administration's efforts to improve the ease of doing business and the overall efficiency of the state machinery.