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1. What is Public Administration?

Public Administration is the implementation of government policies and
the management of public programs. It involves planning, organizing,
directing, coordinating, and controlling government operations to ensure
efficient service delivery to citizens.

2. What are the key principles of Public Administration?

The key principles include:
- Accountability (officials must answer for their actions)
- Transparency (open decision-making processes)
- Efficiency (optimal use of resources)
- Rule of Law (adherence to legal frameworks)
- Equity & Fairness (equal treatment of citizens)

3. How does the Civil Service of Pakistan function?

The Civil Service of Pakistan operates under the Federal Public Service
Commission (FPSC) and Provincial Public Service Commissions (PPSCs).
It is divided into occupational groups (e.g., PAS, PSP, PMS) and follows a
hierarchical structure to implement policies, ensure governance, and
deliver public services.

4. What is the role of a District Administration in Pakistan?

The District Administration, headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC),
is responsible for:
- Maintaining law & order
- Revenue collection
- Disaster management
- Implementation of development projects
- Coordination with local government

5. What are the major challenges in Pakistan’s Public

Administration?
- Bureaucratic red tape (delays in decision-making)
- Corruption & lack of accountability
- Political interference in administrative matters
- Limited resources for public service delivery
- Inefficient service delivery mechanisms
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6. What is Good Governance? How can it be achieved?

Good governance means transparent, accountable, and participatory
decision-making. It can be achieved through:
- Strengthening institutions
- Ensuring rule of law
- Promoting e-governance
- Encouraging citizen participation
- Reducing corruption

7. What is the difference between Public and Private

Administration?
Public Administration | Private Administration
Goal: Public welfare | Goal: Profit maximization
Funded by taxpayers | Funded by private investors
Subject to political control | Operates independently
More rigid rules | Flexible decision-making

8. What is the importance of the Constitution in Public

Administration?
The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan provides the legal framework for
governance, defining the roles of federal and provincial governments,
fundamental rights, and the separation of powers. Public administrators
must work within constitutional limits.

9. What is the role of the Federal Public Service Commission

(FPSC)?
The FPSC conducts competitive exams (CSS, PMS) and recruits civil
servants for federal government positions based on merit, ensuring
transparency and fairness in hiring.

10. How can technology improve Public Administration in

Pakistan?
- E-governance (online services like NADRA, e-filing)
- Automation reduces corruption (e.g., e-tendering)
- Digital record-keeping improves transparency
- Citizen feedback systems enhance accountability

11. What is the significance of the Local Government System in

Pakistan?
Local governments (e.g., Municipal Corporations, Tehsil Councils) ensure
grassroots-level service delivery (sanitation, education, health) and
promote democratic participation.
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12. What are the functions of the Planning & Development

Department?
- Formulating development policies
- Allocating budgets for projects
- Monitoring & evaluation of programs
- Coordination with international donors (e.g., World Bank, UNDP)

13. What is the difference between Policy Making and Policy

Implementation?
-Policy Making: Deciding what should be done (by legislators/politicians)
-Policy Implementation: Executing policies (by bureaucrats/public
administrators)

14. How does corruption affect Public Administration?

Corruption leads to:
- Misuse of public funds
- Delayed service delivery
- Erosion of public trust
- Inequality in resource distribution

15. What reforms are needed in Pakistan’s bureaucracy?

- Merit-based promotions (reduce favoritism)
- Performance-based evaluations
- Digitization of processes (reduce human intervention)
- Strong accountability mechanisms (e.g., NAB, FIA)

16. What is the role of the Auditor General of Pakistan?

The Auditor General audits government expenditures to ensure financial
accountability and prevent corruption.

17. How does the 18th Amendment impact Public

Administration?
The 18th Amendment (2010) devolved powers from the federal to
provincial governments, enhancing provincial autonomy in health,
education, and local governance.

18. What is the importance of Public Policy in governance?

Public policies guide government actions, allocate resources, and
address societal issues (e.g., education policy, health policy).
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19. How can Public Administration improve service delivery in

Pakistan?
- Decentralization of powers
- Training civil servants in modern management
- Citizen-centric approach (feedback mechanisms)
- Use of technology (e.g., mobile governance)

20. Why do you opt the Public Administration?

"I want to contribute to nation-building by ensuring efficient
governance, improving public services, and upholding the principles of
transparency and accountability."
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Set -2
1. What is the difference between administration and
management?
- Administration focuses on policy formulation, decision-making, and
setting objectives (mostly in public sector).
- Management deals with executing policies, operational efficiency, and
achieving goals (common in private sector).

2. Explain the concept of "Bureaucracy" in Pakistan.

Bureaucracy refers to a structured administrative system where
decisions are made by officials rather than elected representatives. In
Pakistan, it follows a hierarchical structure (e.g., PAS, PSP officers) and
is often criticized for red-tapism and slow decision-making.

3. What is the role of the Prime Minister’s Office in Public

Administration?
The PM Office oversees:
- Policy implementation
- Coordination between federal ministries
- National security & governance matters
- Monitoring performance of government departments

4. How does the judicial system interact with Public

Administration?
- Courts ensure administrative accountability (e.g., suo motu actions).
- Judicial review checks if government actions align with the
Constitution & laws.
- Public administrators must comply with court orders.

5. What is the significance of the "Right to Information (RTI)

Act" in Pakistan?
The RTI Act (2017) promotes transparency by allowing citizens to
access government records. It helps reduce corruption and ensures
public officials remain accountable.
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6. What are the key functions of the Finance Ministry in

Pakistan?
- Budget preparation & fiscal policy
- Tax collection (via FBR)
- Debt management
- Allocation of funds to provinces (NFC Award)

7. What is the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and how

does it impact governance?
NAB is Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency that investigates financial
crimes by public officials. While it aims to curb corruption, critics argue
it is sometimes used for political victimization.

8. What is "New Public Management (NPM)"? Is it applicable in

Pakistan?
NPM is a business-like approach to governance, emphasizing:
- Efficiency & performance-based evaluation
- Privatization & outsourcing
- Customer (citizen) focus
Pakistan has partially adopted NPM (e.g., public-private partnerships),
but traditional bureaucracy remains dominant.

9. How does the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)

contribute to governance?
The ECP:
- Conducts free & fair elections
- Registers political parties
- Ensures electoral reforms
- Prevents rigging & malpractices

10. What is the role of a "Section Officer" in a government

department?
A Section Officer:
- Handles official correspondence & files
- Supervises clerical staff
- Ensures timely processing of cases
- Acts as a bridge between seniors & subordinates

11. What is "Decentralization," and how does it work in

Pakistan?
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Decentralization means transferring power from central to local

governments. In Pakistan, it exists via:
- Local Government Acts (e.g., Punjab Local Government Act 2022)
- Devolution under the 18th Amendment
- Empowering district administrations

12. How can Pakistan improve its tax administration system?

- Broaden the tax base (reduce exemptions)
- Digitize tax collection (e.g., FBR’s POS system)
- Reduce corruption in tax departments
- Awareness campaigns for tax compliance

13. What is the importance of the "Public-Private Partnership

(PPP)" model?
PPP leverages private sector efficiency for public projects (e.g.,
highways, hospitals).
Benefits include:
- Reduced government expenditure
- Faster project completion
- Improved service delivery

14. What are the major functions of the Cabinet Division in

Pakistan?
- Coordinates between federal ministries
- Implements cabinet decisions
- Oversees civil service rules & regulations
- Handers inter-provincial issues

15. How does climate change impact Public Administration in

Pakistan?
- Requires disaster management policies (e.g., NDMA)
- Demands sustainable urban planning
- Increases need for climate-resilient infrastructure
- Affects agricultural & water policies

16. What is the role of the Ombudsman (Wafaqi Mohtasib) in

Pakistan?
The Ombudsman investigates public complaints against
maladministration (e.g., delays, corruption) in federal agencies and
ensures redressal.

17. What is "E-Governance," and how is Pakistan adopting it?

E-Governance uses technology (e.g., online portals, mobile apps) to
improve service delivery. Examples in Pakistan:
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- NADRA’s digital services (CNIC, passports)

- E-Courts for case tracking
- Punjab’s e-Stamping system

18. What are the challenges in implementing development

projects in Pakistan?
- Bureaucratic delays in approvals
- Corruption & fund mismanagement
- Political interference
- Lack of technical expertise

19. How does the 1973 Constitution define the role of the civil
service?
Article 240-242 outlines the functions of civil servants, emphasizing
neutrality, meritocracy, and adherence to laws.

20. What reforms would you suggest for improving police

administration in Pakistan?
- Community policing to build public trust
- Depoliticization of police appointments
- Training in human rights & modern policing
- Use of technology (e.g., digital FIRs)

"How would you handle a protest against a government project in your

district?"
Answer Structure:
1. Assess the situation (grievances, scale of protest).
2. Engage stakeholders (community leaders, elected reps).
3. Ensure law & order (dialogue first, minimal force).
4. Address concerns (transparent communication).
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Public Administration in Pakistan's public sector

1. What is the significance of the Civil Service Reforms in
Pakistan?
Civil Service Reforms aim to:
- Promote merit-based recruitment (through FPSC/PPSC)
- Enhance performance evaluation systems
- Reduce political interference in postings/transfers
- Improve training & capacity-building (e.g., NSPP, PAS training)

2. Explain the concept of "Governance" vs. "Government."

- Government refers to formal institutions (e.g., Parliament, Ministries).
- Governance is the broader process of decision-making involving state
+ private sector + civil society.

3. What is the role of the National School of Public Policy

(NSPP) in Pakistan?
The NSPP (formerly NIPA) trains senior civil servants through:
- Mid-Career Management Courses
- Specialized training in policy formulation
- Leadership development for Grade 20-22 officers

4. How does the 7th NFC Award impact fiscal decentralization

in Pakistan?
The 7th NFC Award (2010) increased provincial shares in federal
revenue (57% to provinces) and introduced performance-based grants,
strengthening fiscal autonomy under the 18th Amendment.

5. What are the key challenges in implementing the SDGs in

Pakistan?
- Limited funding for social sectors
- Weak inter-departmental coordination
- Data gaps in monitoring progress
- Regional disparities (e.g., Balochistan lagging)

6. What is the role of the Pakistan Administrative Service

(PAS)?
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PAS officers (formerly DMG):

- Serve as Deputy Commissioners (DCs) at district level
- Act as Secretaries in federal/provincial ministries
- Implement policies & maintain law & order

7. How does the "Performance Management System" work in

Pakistani bureaucracy?
Officials are evaluated annually on:
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Output vs. Targets
- Integrity & Public Feedback
(But implementation remains weak due to subjectivity)

8. What is the difference between "Devolution" and

"Deconcentration"?
- Devolution: Transfer of power to elected local governments (e.g.,
Municipal Corporations).
- Deconcentration: Delegating authority to field offices of central govt
(e.g., DC office).

9. How does the Auditor General of Pakistan ensure financial

accountability?
Through:
- Audit reports on govt expenditures
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings
- Recovery of embezzled funds

10. What is the importance of the "Code of Conduct for Civil

Servants"?
It defines ethical standards:
- Political neutrality
- Prohibition of corruption
- Restrictions on private business
(Violations can lead to disciplinary action under PEEDA 2006)

11. How does the "Sasti Roti Scheme" reflect public policy
implementation challenges?
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Despite good intentions, the scheme failed due to:

- Poor targeting (benefits didn’t reach the poorest)
- Corruption in flour distribution
- Lack of sustainable funding

12. What is the role of the Provincial Finance Commission

(PFC)?
PFC allocates resources to:
- Local governments
- District development funds
- Equalization grants for backward areas

13. How can Pakistan improve its public health administration?

- Strengthen Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs)
- Increase health budget (currently <1% of GDP)
- Digital health records (e.g., Sehat Sahulat Card)
- Public-private partnerships for hospitals

14. What is the "SPARCO Model" in bureaucratic reform?

SPARCO (Special Pay & Performance Rewards) links salaries to
performance, but faces challenges due to:
- Resistance from unions
- Lack of transparent metrics

15. How does the "Ehsaas Program" reflect effective social

protection administration?
Ehsaas succeeds through:
- Biometric verification (avoiding ghost beneficiaries)
- Women-centric cash transfers (Kafaalat)
- Digital portals for transparency

16. What is the "Police Order 2002," and why is it

controversial?
It aimed to depoliticize police by creating:
- Public Safety Commissions
- Independent complaint authorities
But implementation remains partial due to political resistance.

17. How does CPEC impact public administration in Pakistan?

CPEC requires:
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- Coordination between federal/provincial govts

- Efficient land acquisition processes
- Dispute resolution mechanisms for investors

18. What is the "One Window Operation" in service delivery?

It consolidates multiple approvals (e.g., construction permits) under a
single office to reduce delays & corruption. Example: Punjab’s Business
Portal.

19. How can Pakistan address the "Urban Governance Crisis"?

- Empower metropolitan corporations
- Improve municipal tax collection
- Master plans for mega-cities (e.g., Karachi Strategic Plan)

20. What is your view on the "Quota System" in civil service

recruitment?
While quotas (for provinces, minorities) aim for inclusivity, they
sometimes compromise merit. A balanced approach with need-based
quotas + merit is ideal.