ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a seven-member committee to examine the proposal of increasing the retirement age of government employees from legal, financial, administrative, organisational efficiency and economic aspects, besides its impact on job creation prospects.

According to a notification, a copy of which is available with Business Recorder, PM Khan has constituted a committee consisting of advisor to the prime minister on institutional reforms (chair); secretary Finance Division; secretary Establishment Division; secretary Ministry of Defence; secretary Law & Justice Division; auditor general of Pakistan; and joint secretary Finance Division (secretary of the committee).

The terms of reference of the committee are as to examine the proposal of increasing the age of retirement from different aspects such as legal, financial, administrative, organisational efficiency, and economic including impact, if any, on job creation prospects.

Furthermore, the committee would be required to come up with a recommendation whether the proposal is feasible or not; and if so, it would propose the way forward for its implementation as how and when it would be implemented and what its scope will  be (whether to implement it across the board or selectively). The committee has been directed to submit its recommendations for consideration of the Prime Minister in three weeks.

However, according to some government officials, the proposed increase in age of retirement would only benefit those senior bureaucrats, mostly from Pakistan Administrative Service, who are apparently behind this move because they are close to their retirement. The young and junior officers who are waiting for their promotion will be badly affected, as their promotions will be delayed considerably.