In 2024, a centralized governance structure in Punjab raised concerns about the growing influence of federal politics on local bureaucracy. Salman Abid, a public policy advisor at the University of Punjab, noted that despite the 18th Amendment, which was meant to grant provinces greater autonomy, the federal government has been heavily involved in managing key bureaucratic decisions. This interference, according to Abid, undermines transparency and governance in Punjab, creating distortions in administrative processes.
Abid also pointed out that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharifโs historical role as Chief Minister has contributed to a system where the bureaucracy often looks to him for direction, thereby allowing him to exercise significant control over provincial affairs. The system, Abid believes, is detrimental to both governance and autonomy, as it consolidates power at the federal level rather than empowering local leadership.
A closer look at the bureaucratic landscape in Punjab reveals that the new government has maintained continuity with the caretaker regime rather than implementing new policies or making significant personnel changes. Although Punjab typically replaces officers in key positions every year, the 2024 government made minimal adjustments. Out of over 5,000 officers, only 24% were replaced, with the majority of changes involving minor seat adjustments rather than substantive transfers. Key positions, such as the Inspector General of Punjab Police and the Commissioners of major cities, remained unchanged, leading to criticism that the new government lacked a clear vision.
Moreover, the transfer of bureaucrats in late 2024 continued based on political considerations, with gender discrimination surfacing as a significant issue. Female officers faced transfers due to subjective reasons, and the government’s failure to adhere to gender quotas further highlighted these concerns. Rabia Bajwa, Vice President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association, criticized the government’s lack of meaningful policies for womenโs empowerment, arguing that the appointment of a few influential women to advisory roles was insufficient. Bajwa emphasized that women from ordinary families should be provided with equal opportunities to thrive in government roles.
Former IG Punjab Police, Ahmed Naseem, echoed concerns about gender equity, stressing that appointing women to key positions like District Police Officers could have improved governance. However, the government’s failure to address these concerns led to dissatisfaction with its performance.
Despite these issues, Provincial Information Minister Uzma Bukhari defended the government’s efforts, citing the Chief Minister’s introduction of 86 public relief projects in a few months. She also mentioned that criteria had been developed to assess the performance of officers, signaling an attempt to improve bureaucratic accountability. However, the overall dissatisfaction with the bureaucracy and gender issues remains a significant challenge for the provincial government.
