Karachi, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced new initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining top talent in Pakistan’s public sector, emphasizing the importance of building a world-class talent pool to ensure the nation’s success. During a high-level meeting in Islamabad on April 3, 2024, Sharif underscored the critical need for a skilled workforce capable of effectively delivering the government’s policy program, founded on the principles of impartiality and merit-based recruitment.

According to Press Information Department, the Prime Minister appointed a committee chaired by the Finance Minister to review and propose enhancements to the current work pass framework within ministries. This move aims to better support Pakistan’s need for talented individuals and address the technical skills gap at the policy-making level. The committee is directed to submit its findings promptly.

The discussion highlighted several challenges in attracting external candidates, including lengthy hiring processes, procedural barriers that hinder the search for qualified individuals, and inflexible compensation structures. These obstacles have made it difficult to attract the required talent, especially in areas experiencing skill shortages.

The meeting brought together Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr. Musadiq Malik, Ahad Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Awais Leghari, Minister of State for IT Ms. Shaza Fatima, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzeb, and other high-level officials. Together, they examined the imperative need for technical expertise within the civil service to manage large projects, improve digital age adaptation, and develop new skills.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative represents a significant step towards revamping Pakistan’s public sector, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating a competitive and capable workforce that can navigate the complexities of modern governance and economic challenges.