DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Resource Management Department has decided to form a subcommittee to examine whether the provincial government can seek powers to appoint the chief secretary instead of the federal government.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the committee held at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday, chaired by MPA Abdul Muneem. Members of the committee, officials of the Human Resource Management Department, Law Department, Advocate General’s Office and Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting.
The issue was raised by MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi, who argued that the law could be amended to transfer the authority to appoint the chief secretary to the provincial chief executive. He said the Constitution allowed the provincial assembly to legislate on the matter.
MPA Ehtesham Ali supported the proposal, arguing that since the chief secretary worked under the provincial chief executive, the authority to appoint the official should also rest with the chief minister. MPA Abdul Salam Afridi and other members also supported the proposal.
The subcommittee will include members of the standing committee as well as representatives of the Law Department, Human Resource Management Department and other relevant departments. It will examine the existing constitutional and legal framework, particularly in the light of the 18th Amendment, and prepare recommendations on possible legal amendments.
The subcommittee has been directed to submit its recommendations to the standing committee within 15 days.
The committee also discussed the 10 per cent quota allocated to civil secretariat employees in the Provincial Management Service (PMS) examination. MPA Abdul Salam Afridi questioned the quota, saying PMS was a competitive examination and all candidates should be given an equal opportunity on open merit.
The Special Secretary of the Human Resource Management Department told the committee that the quota had been introduced to facilitate career progression and departmental representation of government employees. Committee members, however, did not agree with the explanation.
The chairman directed the department to present all relevant laws, rules, regulations and documents concerning the PMS quota at the next meeting for detailed consideration.
The committee also sought details regarding the appointment, transfers, allowances and deputation of commissioners, deputy commissioners and district police officers.
Mr Abdul Muneem directed the department to provide complete records of these matters at the next meeting and stressed that appointments and transfers of government officials must be based on merit, transparency and applicable rules.
He further directed that the normal period for deputation should be two years and that repeated extensions should be discouraged to ensure administrative continuity, merit and institutional discipline.
