PESHAWAR– In a fervent statement, the Association of Administrative Federalism, Pakistan, led by President Noman Wazir, has vehemently opposed the induction of Provincial Management Services (PMS) into the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS). The organization is resolute in its position that PAS (Pakistan Administrative Service) and Police Service of Pakistan(PSP) recruitments, promotions, and postings on provincial subjects are unconstitutional.
The Association views the recent notification of newly inducted PMS/PCS officers into PAS Grade 19 as an attempt to legitimize an unconstitutional service through Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs), circumventing parliamentary and provincial assembly procedures.
The federal government, through SRO 1046(1)2020 dated 14-10-2020, and a subsequent notification on 12 March 2021, amended the Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP) rules, altering the definition of “Federal government” and “provincial government” to “Prime Minister and the person authorized by him” and “Chief Minister and the person authorized by him,” respectively.
Subsequently, the Secretary of the Establishment Division, under this SRO, assumed the role of “the government” and modified the Intra-Provincial Cadre Change (IPCC) formula from percentage-based to fixed numbers. This confidential formula, used since 1993, reserves provincial posts for PAS during caretaker governments, a fact revealed only in 2020.
The induction of Provincial Management Services (PMS) and Provincial Civil Services (PCS) into Pakistan Administrative Service Rules, 2020, via SRO 274(I)/2021, as notified by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), is considered a transgression by the Association. Article 242(1) of the Constitution, which governs the establishment of Public Service Commissions, is cited as the basis for their argument.
The Association further asserts that FPSC has exceeded its jurisdiction, leading to a distortion of the constitution.
To address these concerns, the Sindh government established a committee chaired by Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister of Local Government, Forest, and Information. PAS officers were part of this committee. Minutes from May 4, 2021, reveal that SRO-1046 encroaches upon provincial government authority by reserving and appropriating posts related to provincial affairs without prior consultation, as required by CSP rules of 1954 (Section 17). The “saving clause” (Article-241) is considered irrelevant, as separate Civil Servant Acts under Article 240-A and Article 240-B have been enacted by respective legislatures.
In conclusion, the Association of Administrative Federalism emphatically rejects the induction of PMS/PCS into PAS and refuses to endorse what they view as an unconstitutional and illegitimate colonial service. They assert that Administrative Federalism must prevail.
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