Performance Management in Public Sector: A Case of Civil Service in Pakistan

Abstract

The paper deliberates upon the issue of performance management in the specific context of civil service of Pakistan It evaluates the existing system of Performance Evaluation in view of the New Public Management (NPM) reform initiated during the late 1970s (Daley, 1993) across countries including Pakistan. The study adopts a qualitative approach to draw findings. It reveals that performance management system of the Civil Service of Pakistan at both Federal and Provincial level has certain strengths including; thoroughness, comprehensiveness, disciplined tool for promotion and accountability etc. However, the system also suffers from political meddling, extraneous factors, lack of quantification and standardization that hinder the effective functioning of the system. The paper suggests useful policy recommendations and reform measures towards improving the system in this direction.