IV. Public policy & planning institutions

The Prime Minister's Office and the Secretaries Committee

Steering and coordinating the government

Policy institutions

The Prime Minister's Office sets priorities and monitors implementation across the government, while the Secretaries Committee brings together federal secretaries to coordinate administrative matters.

The Prime Minister's Office (Secretariat)

Headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Processes summaries from ministries for the Prime Minister's approval.
Coordinates among ministries and with provincial governments.
Monitors the implementation of the Prime Minister's directives and priority programmes.
Houses units such as the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit (PMDU), which manages the Pakistan Citizen's Portal (launched 2018) for public complaints.
Prime Minister's initiatives, such as youth and housing programmes, are often managed from here.

The Secretaries Committee

Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and made up of federal secretaries.
Examines inter-ministerial issues and resolves administrative disputes.
Reviews summaries and policies before they go to the Cabinet.
Considers civil service matters and administrative reforms.
Provides a forum for collective advice by senior civil servants.

Issues

Concentration of power in the Prime Minister's Office can bypass ministries and the Cabinet.
Frequent changes of secretaries reduce continuity.
Weak follow-up mechanisms.

Conclusion

A strong but disciplined Prime Minister's Office, working through the Cabinet and ministries rather than around them, and an active Secretaries Committee are essential for coordinated government.