PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday passed a bill amending the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1978, further limiting the administrative powers of the governor in line with constitutional provisions.
The amendment bill was introduced in light of Article 242(1B), Article 105 of the Constitution, and the 18th Constitutional Amendment. It seeks to align the legal and administrative framework of the Public Service Commission with constitutional requirements.
Under the approved legislation, the chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission will continue to be appointed by the governor, but only on the advice of the chief minister. The bill also makes it mandatory for the governor to act on the advice of the chief minister or the provincial cabinet in administrative matters.
The assembly approved amendments to Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the 1978 ordinance. According to the text of the bill, the word “Governor” will be replaced with “Government” in relevant provisions wherever appropriate, while the governor’s constitutional role in appointing the commission chairman will remain intact.
The legislation states that the amendments are intended to remove ambiguities regarding administrative powers, harmonize the commission’s legal and administrative structure with constitutional provisions, and promote transparency, merit, and good governance in the functioning of the Public Service Commission.
