Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani received participants of the 38th Senior Management Course at Aiwan-e-Sadr and underscored the central role of the civil service in preserving state continuity, dignity and administrative stability. He described reaching senior management as more than professional success, calling it recognition of years of discipline, hard work and commitment to public service.
Mr Gilani stressed that the in‑land study tour component of the course is vital for officers to directly observe the functioning of governmental and parliamentary institutions, administrative structures and the wider social and economic context in which policies operate. He encouraged participants to use these insights to strengthen institutional delivery.
Reflecting on his experience as prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani lauded the capability and sense of duty shown by Pakistan’s civil servants and highlighted that translating policy into practice and shaping a national vision are core responsibilities of the service. He urged officers to prioritise measurable outcomes and align their work with a public welfare oriented development model.
The acting president identified e‑governance and the use of artificial intelligence as key priorities to enhance institutional capacity, transparency and performance in bodies such as the Senate Secretariat. He called for modern tools and innovation to improve public service delivery and accountability across government.
Gilani praised civil officers for their response during recent floods, including operations in southern Punjab, noting that natural disasters have tested institutional resilience and the spirit of public service. He emphasised that rising environmental risks require a service based governance approach and collaborative action between federal, provincial and local communities.
Stressing collective responsibility, he said that tackling climate change is not the remit of a single ministry but demands close coordination among institutions and communities. At senior management level he urged leaders to embrace cooperation, continuous learning, innovation and humility so departments can jointly pursue national development goals.
Before a questions and answers session, Yousuf Raza Gilani assured participants that parliament remains committed to reform and will work alongside conscientious and proactive officers to meet public expectations. He concluded with a call for officers to serve Pakistan with honesty, insight and sincerity and reaffirmed his insistence on transparent, accountable and effective governance.
