Imran: Bureaucracy to be depoliticised

Political interference in the past created a negative impact on governance, prime minister says

Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday assured to isolate the bureaucracy from political interference and asked the civil servants to support the new government in meeting grave economic challenges confronting the country.

“I am not concerned about your political affiliation, but your performance. If you deliver, I assure to stand by you,” the prime minister told civil servants belonging to different occupational groups, here at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Imran said political interference in the past had put a negative impact on the quality of bureaucracy where appointments were made by ignoring the principles of merit.

He said Pakistan could become a destination for investment and tourist attraction within two years, provided its governance system was mended.

“Coming out of the financial debt trap and bringing change in the colonial mindset of the ruling elite are important challenges to address,” he said, adding that it was important for the bureaucracy to implement the policies of the new government in letter and spirit.

Imran pointed out that the country was facing a huge debt trap of Rs30 trillion, that had swelled from Rs6 trillion in a decade’s time. He said the previous government borrowed money to start projects such as Orange Line that regularly require huge financial input.