PM urges civil bureaucracy to implement policies, ensure good governance

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday called upon the country’s civil bureaucracy to play effective role in implementing government policies and ensuring good governance.“Despite having the best and most competent officers to run our ministries, divisions and key institutions, we have yet to make headway in effective implementation which is a key element of good governance,” the Prime Minister said while addressing Federal Secretaries at an Iftar dinner hosted by Secretaries Committee here.He said, “My personal observation has been that there is a yawning gap between formulating policies and their implementation. We must, under no circumstances, allow this to continue.” He called for a paradigm shift in managing institutions and programs.“You will have to go out yourself to see the implementation on ground and ensure that all bottlenecks and impediments are removed.” Gilani said there is a dire need to institute a mechanism of monitoring and evaluation which is a grey area. He expressed optimism that bureaucracy will be able to come up with an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism which will point out the gaps in performance and help in devising future strategies. “We must shun the business as usual approach and adopt a forward looking progressive approach if our nation is to be taken forward in the current era replete with challenges both internal and external,” he observed. He said he is for informed and participatory decision making which benefits from the wisdom and intellect of his team. “This entails that you must fully apply your mind and give candid as well as honest opinion in all matters in line with the prevailing policies. Let me reiterate here that we will continue to stand by you and support you in the due discharge of your duties.” He said his government will never stand in the way of exercise of authority by any one of you which is driven by national interest and is in accordance with the law. “I am personally seeing to it that all elevations in the civil service are made only and only on merit. This Government has not on a single occasion differed with the recommendations made by the FPSC or the Central Selection Board.” He said his interactions with bureaucracy are of immense importance as it provide an opportunity to understand each other’s views on a wide range of subjects that affect life of the common man and the well being of nation. The leadership in the civil bureaucracy holds the key to improving the lot of the common man and changing the destiny of this nation, he said adding no matter how revolutionary the policies of the Government are, it is the effective management and strong implementation