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Reforming a Broken System: A New Performance Evaluation System for Pakistan Civil Servants

Author

Listed:
  • Maryam Tanwir

    (Lecturer, Centre of Development Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom)

  • Azam Chaudhry

    (Professor, Department of Economics, Lahore School of Economics, Lahore.)

Abstract

Extant literature informs that the modern state requires a civil service whose performance is accurately measured, evaluated and subsequently rewarded (or punished). In this paper we use Pakistan as a case study of a country in which the performance evaluation system is obsolete and resistant to change. After analysing literature on the importance of performance management systems in bureaucracies, we evaluate the present structure of the Pakistani performance evaluation system of civil servants and identify its major weaknesses. We then present the results of a unique survey of senior civil servants which informs on how they viewed potential reforms of the current system. Based on this, we present a revised instrument to more accurately measure the performance of Pakistani civil servants, which both adapts the existing instrument while being cognizant of the international best practices. Finally we look at some of the significant political economy factors that could hinder the introduction of a new performance management system.

Suggested Citation

  • Maryam Tanwir & Azam Chaudhry, 2016. "Reforming a Broken System: A New Performance Evaluation System for Pakistan Civil Servants," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 55(1), pages 49-72.
    • Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:55:y:2016:i:1:p:49-72
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    File URL: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/2016/Volume1/49-72.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Cook, Thomas J. & Vansant, Jerry & Stewart, Leslie & Adrian, Jamie, 1995. "Performance measurement: Lessons learned for development management," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(8), pages 1303-1315, August.
    4. HUBER, JOHN D. & McCARTY, NOLAN, 2004. "Bureaucratic Capacity, Delegation, and Political Reform," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 98(3), pages 481-494, August.
    5. John P. Burns, 2007. "Civil Service Reform in China," OECD Journal on Budgeting, OECD Publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 1-25.
    6. Ha-Joon Chang, 2006. "Understanding the Relationship between Institutions and Economic Development: Some Key Theoretical Issues," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2006-05, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Nadeem Ul Haque, 2007. "Why Civil Service Reforms Do Not Work," PIDE-Working Papers 2007:24, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    8. Nadeem Ul Haque, 2007. "Why Civil Service Reforms Do Not Work," Labor Economics Working Papers 22192, East Asian Bureau of Economic Research.
    9. Reynolds, Lloyd G, 1983. "The Spread of Economic Growth to the Third World: 1850-1980," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 941-980, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aman-Rana, Shan, 2025. "Meritocracy in a bureaucracy," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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