Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government could not implement the civil services reforms, proposed by Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms. A comprehensive draft of recommendations had been jointly prepared by the Establishment Division (ED) and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms (PDR) for Civil Services Reforms in the wake of the passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment. But the federal government remained unsuccessful to implement on the reforms.
Member Governance and Reforms Dr Syed Tahir Hijazi said Tuesday that the commission is not an implementing body, adding that it can only propose, suggest and recommend. He said the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms has proposed reforms in civil service, police and criminal justice system, tax, accountability, transparency and open government, e-governance, education, health, investment climate, Islamabad Model City, effective local government and performance management system in public sector.
He said the Planning Commission also proposed reforms for Islamabad Model City. He said under the Islamabad Model City project, the government aims to demonstrate the impact of its reforms at ground level and provide a replicable example for other metropolitans of Pakistan. He said the concept would however go beyond the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and would include smarter urban transport network, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities, more responsive police, city administration, smoother business and robust citizen facilitation. He said that the Planning Commission is going to arrange a "Governance Forum" on December 22, 2015 in Islamabad to discuss proposed reforms. He said that there is need for reforms in education and training of civil service officers through a dedicated center of excellence, the National University of Public Policy and Administration (UNPPA).
He said that the criminal justice system in Pakistan is in urgent need of reforms. He said that reforms should be accelerated in the provinces to create smart and community oriented police, which is well equipped to fight crime. About the tax reforms, he said that the main emphasis of the tax administration reform is on promoting voluntary tax compliance through an enhanced level of taxpayer's facilitation. This will enhance revenue collection through a broad-based tax system by using IT date, gradually reduce tax exemption, simplifying rules, accountability, transparency, integrity, publication of annual tax directory and providing transparent and high quality tax services.