On Tuesday, 25^th February 2025, Ms. Arifa Saboohi, former Director General, Civil Service Academy, Lahore, conducted a lecture on “Public Sector Ethics and Governance”, to the participants of the 37^th SMC.

During the session, the Ms. Saboohi provided an in-depth explanation of governance and ethics within the public sector. Governance was defined as the exercise of authority and power to manage a country’s economic, political, and administrative affairs in a transparent, participatory. Inclusive, and responsive manner. She emphasised that good governance ensures public sector entities always act in the public interest. Ethics, derived from the Greek word “ethos,” was explained as a set of moral principles that guide behavior and actions in the public sphere. The basic premise of public sector ethics was highlighted, wherein public officials are considered stewards of the public trust.

The lecture elaborated on the framework for ethical governance, exploring the philosophical approaches that guide ethical decision-making. Two main approaches were discussed the consequential approach, where the morality of an action is determined by its outcomes, and the duty-based approach, which focuses on the moral intent behind actions, irrespective of their results. The speaker stressed that these ethical foundations are essential for maintaining integrity and accountability within the public service.

Further, Ms. Saboohi discussed the various sources of public sector ethics, emphasising the importance of bureaucratic responsibilities and stakeholder perceptions. A detailed examination of contemporary governance through socio-political concepts was also presented, providing insight into the evolving nature of public service ethics

The session also addressed strategies for promoting ethical practices within government institutions. The speaker underscored the need for effective laws requiring civil servants to record the reasons for official decisions. The importance of whistleblower protection laws was highlighted as a means of safeguarding public interest disclosures of wrongdoing by officials. Additionally, the establishment of external and internal complaint and redress mechanisms was deemed vital for promoting transparency and accountability. The importance of training programs focused on the ethical use of official power and adherence to codes of conduct was also emphasised.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants discussed various aspects of ethical decision-making in the public service sector. The session provided an opportunity for participants to engage with the speaker on practical challenges faced by civil servants in their roles and explored potential solutions for fostering integrity and transparency in governance.