**National Assembly Committee Urges Ministries to Obtain ISO 9001 Certification; Endorses Protection Bill for Civil Servants**
In a recent session, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat lauded the Establishment Division and Finance Division for attaining ISO 9001 certification and called on all ministries to pursue similar international quality standards. The committee further recommended the passage of the “Protection of Rights of Regularized Civil Servants and Employees Bill, 2024,” aimed at safeguarding the rights of government employees.
The meeting, chaired by Malik Ibrar Ahmad, assembled at Parliament House, Islamabad, where members received a detailed briefing on the functions of the Establishment Division and progress on pending legislative matters. The Secretary of the Establishment Division highlighted the division’s core responsibilities, including oversight of four occupational services groups, recruitment protocols, promotions, and the regulation of civil service conduct and discipline.
Over the past five years, the Establishment Division has implemented significant reforms, introducing special professional pay scales, conducting targeted recruitment to fill technical positions, and revising promotion rules and related employment policies. The Secretary noted the adoption of a human resources management information system to enhance operational efficiency. Ongoing initiatives include updates to the deputation policy, Esta Code, the Establishment Manual, and Secretariat instructions, reflecting efforts to modernize and streamline civil service management.
During the session, the committee unanimously recommended the “Protection of Rights of Regularized Civil Servants and Employees Bill, 2024,” presented by MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, without amendments. The committee expressly advised the Establishment Division to refrain from punitive actions against employees who fall under the proposed legislation until its final outcome is decided. The Secretary of the Establishment Division referenced recent judiciary rulings from the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court pertaining to related matters, supplying the government’s perspective to the committee.
Further discussion on additional agenda items was postponed until the next committee meeting. The session saw attendance from several MNAs, including Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Dr. Nelson Azeem, Mr. Ali Asghar Khan, Mr. Khurram Munawar Manj, Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Ms. Shahida Begum, Ms. Rana Ansar, and others, alongside key officials from the Establishment Division and related departments.
