Body without head:  FPSC chairman post remains vacant 

The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has been continuing without its chairperson for the past month. The seat has been vacant since December 16, 2022, after Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed tendered his resignation.

The FPSC is a country’s top body that is responsible for making recruitment of civil servants to run government administrative affairs.

The delay in the posting of a new chairman of FPSC is hampering the way for the promotion of officers, waiting for their promotion for months. Many important matters are also being delayed due to the absence of the administrative head. 

The Public Service Commission was set up for the first time in British India in 1926. After independence, the Commission was established in Pakistan in 1947 under the provision of government of India Act, 1935. At present, the commission is functioning under article 242 of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It has been provided autonomy under the Rules of Business, 1973 and FPSC Regulations, 1978 in its working. The Commission has also been given administrative as well as, to some extent, financial autonomy to perform its functions independently. The Commission consists of a Chairman and Members. The Chairman is appointed by the President of Islamic republic of Pakistan, in his discretion, under Article 242 (IA) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. The members are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Commission is assisted by the Secretary who provides a link among the Commission, its Secretariat and the Government Agencies. 

The term of the office of members is as follow:

1) A Member of the Commission shall hold office for a fixed term from the date on which he enters upon office and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.

2) A Member may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the President.