Rising Unemployment and Retired Bureaucrats Leading Public Bodies in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:While unemployment continues to rise in Pakistan, driving many citizens to seek employment abroad, a select group of individuals, primarily retired bureaucrats, have found themselves leading key public institutions and regulatory bodies. These former government officials, after retiring from civil service, have been appointed to head various organizations, often with significant salaries and perks.

According to a response submitted by the Establishment Division in the Senate, nine individuals, who have retired from the civil bureaucracy, are now heading public institutions, legal bodies, and regulatory organizations. Seven of these individuals are being paid under the MP-1 scale, which provides substantial salaries and benefits.

The Finance Division’s report reveals that officers in the MP-1 scale receive a monthly salary of **7,72,000** Pakistani rupees, with **2,05,000** as house rent and **35,000** for utilities. This means they earn more than **10 lakh rupees** a month, a significant amount in the context of Pakistan’s economic challenges.

Here is a breakdown of the retired bureaucrats holding key positions in public institutions:

1. **Pakistan Information Commission**: **Shoyeb Ahmed Siddiqui**, a retired bureaucrat, now serves as the Chief Information Commissioner.

2. **Ministry of Foreign Affairs**: Two retired diplomats are heading key institutions:
– **Ambassador Sohail Mahmood**, after retirement, serves as the Director-General of the Institute of Strategic Studies.
– **Ambassador Johar Saleem** heads the Institute of Regional Studies.

3. **Ministry of National Heritage and Culture**:
– **Mohammad Ayub Jamali** is the Director-General of the Pakistan National Council of Arts after his retirement.
– **Professor Dr. Mohammad Saleem Mazhar** now heads the National Language Promotion Department.

4. **Cabinet Division**:
– **Mushtaq Sukhera** has been appointed as Chairman of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority.
– **Wasim Mukhtar** is now the Chairman of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

5. **Ministry of Human Rights**: **Rabia Javeria Agha**, a retired bureaucrat, is the current Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights. She receives a salary and benefits equivalent to those of a High Court judge, which, following recent salary hikes, now total around **20 lakh rupees** per month.

6. **National School of Public Policy**: **Dr. Ejaz Munir**, after retirement, now serves as the Rector of this key institution.

While many are struggling with unemployment, these appointments highlight a stark contrast, with retired officials continuing to enjoy lucrative roles in public institutions. This practice has sparked discussions about the concentration of power and resources within the hands of a few, while the wider population faces increasing challenges in securing stable employment.