Pakistan Administrative Service

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The Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) (Urdu: انتظامی خدمتِ پاکستان‎ Devanagari: इन्तिज़ामी ख़िदमते-पाकिस्तान ), formerly known as the District Management Group (DMG) until June 1, 2012, is an elite cadre within the Civil Services of Pakistan. Over the years, PAS has established itself as the most consolidated and developed post-colonial institution in the country. Officers in Grade 22 of the PAS are often perceived as more influential than federal government ministers.

The nature of service in PAS is generalist, with officers assigned to various departments across Pakistan throughout their careers. Consequently, many of the nation's highest-profile positions, such as Federal Secretaries, provincial Chief Secretaries, and leaders of significant organisations like the National Highway Authority of Pakistan, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, and State Life Insurance Corporation, are typically held by members of the Pakistan Administrative Service.

As of 2023, there have been initiatives aimed at modernizing the PAS framework to better address contemporary governance challenges, including enhancing transparency and responsiveness in public administration. These reforms seek to bolster the effectiveness of the PAS in serving the evolving needs of the nation.

Officers in the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) are recruited through a national competitive examination conducted annually by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). Successful candidates undergo a rigorous selection process that assesses their aptitude and knowledge. Once selected, these officers are required to complete a two-year training program at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) located in Lahore.

The training at CSA is comprehensive, encompassing various aspects of public administration, governance, and leadership skills, which prepares the officers for their future roles in the civil service. As of 2023, there have been efforts to enhance the curriculum at the academy to include modern governance practices, digital literacy, and ethical decision-making, ensuring that newly recruited officers are well-equipped to meet the challenges of contemporary public service in Pakistan.

History

The Indian Civil Service (ICS), formerly known as the Imperial Civil Service during British colonial rule in India, served as a precursor to the Civil Service of Pakistan and the District Management Group (DMG). It was established by the British to administer and control the Indian subcontinent, thereby reinforcing the British Raj. Following India's independence in 1947, the segment of the ICS that transitioned to Pakistan was rebranded as the Civil Service of Pakistan.

In 1954, an agreement was reached between the Governor General of Pakistan and the provincial governors to establish an All-Pakistan service, which would be applicable throughout the nation. Subsequently, in 1973, significant administrative reforms resulted in the renaming of the Civil Service of Pakistan to the District Management Group, which became one of thirteen occupational groups under the All-Pakistan Unified Groups (APUG).

Since 1973, each year, newly recruited officers undergo a "Common Training Programme" (CTP) at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), which includes participants from all thirteen occupational groups. This program is designed to provide a foundational understanding of public administration, governance, and leadership skills. As of 2023, there have been ongoing discussions about further modernizing the CTP curriculum to incorporate contemporary issues such as digital governance, sustainability, and enhanced public service delivery, ensuring that future civil servants are prepared to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing socio-political landscape.

Appointments

Upon completing their initial training and probation at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), officers are assigned to field offices across Pakistan in Basic Pay Scale (BPS)-17 grade positions. Additionally, officers holding the rank of Captains or their equivalents from the defense services, with 3 to 6 years of service, are also inducted into three specific occupational groups: the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Police Service, and Foreign Service. This induction occurs based on an allocated quota, which is facilitated through the recommendations of the Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

This quota system was established by President General Zia ul Haq through a controversial amendment to existing laws, primarily aimed at ensuring military influence over the civil bureaucracy. This practice continues to be in effect.

Officers of the PAS typically begin their careers as Assistant Commissioners at the sub-divisional level. In this role, they carry out various administrative responsibilities, overseeing governance and public service delivery within their assigned jurisdictions. These early postings serve as a foundational experience for officers, allowing them to gain practical insights into the workings of civil administration while preparing them for future leadership roles within the civil service.

The Basic Pay Scales (BPS grades) are enumerated (in order of increasing responsibility) such as:

Grade Appointment Remarks
BPS-17
  • Under Secretary to Provincial Government
  • Section Officer in Federal Secretariat
  • Assistant Commissioner (AC)
  • Assistant Political Agent (APA)
  • Assistant Director of Federal / Provincial Department
 Field appointment of AC combines roles of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Assistant Collector (Land Revenue)
BPS-18
  • Deputy Secretary to Provincial Government
  • Senior Section Officer in Federal Secretariat
  • Deputy Commissioner (DC) for a smaller district
  • Political Agent (PA) for a smaller agency
  • Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) for a larger district
  • Additional Political Agent for a larger agency
  • Deputy Director of a Federal / Provincial Department
 Field appointment of DC combines roles of District Magistrate (DM) and Collector (Land Revenue)
BPS-19
  • Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan
  • Additional Secretary to Provincial Government
  • Additional Commissioner of a Larger Administrative Division (Appointment created on required basis).
  • Deputy Commissioner (DC) for a larger district
  • Political Agent (PA) for a larger agency
  • Project Manager for Federal Scheme
  • Director of a Federal / Provincial Department
BPS-20
  • Joint Secretary to the Government of Pakistan
  • Secretary to Provincial Government
  • Member Provincial Board of Revenue
  • Commissioners of Administrative Divisions
  • Director-General of Federal Department
  • Project Director for Federal Scheme
 Divisional Commissioners were previously under Members of Board of Revenue but are now directly responsible to respective Chief Secretaries.
BPS-21
  • Acting Secretary to the Government of Pakistan
  • Additional Secretary to the Government of Pakistan
  • Additional Chief Secretary to Provincial Government (e.g. ACS Services)
  • Chairman Provincial Planning and Development Board
  • Senior Member Provincial Board of Revenue
  • Commissioners of Larger Administrative Divisions
  • Chairman of Federal Organisations
  • Chief Executive / Managing Director of Public Corporation
  • Chief Secretary to AJK / Gilgit-Baltistan Government.

During 2001 to 2008, Commissioners of Administrative and Larger Administrative Divisions were abolished. Office of District Coordination Officers (DCO) established; BPS-21 in newly formed city district governments and BPS-20 in district governments, replacing office of deputy commissioners.

BPS-22 Highest attainable and most prestigious designation.

Post-devolution (2001) scenario

Following the devolution of powers in Pakistan, the Local Government Ordinance (PLGO) 2001 led to significant administrative changes. Under President Pervaiz Musharraf's regime, the divisional governments and administrative divisions were abolished in 2001, resulting in the dissolution of the office of the Divisional Commissioner. In this restructuring, the office of the Deputy Commissioner was upgraded and re-designated as the District Coordination Officer (DCO), although it was stripped of its judicial powers as District Magistrate.

However, after General Musharraf's presidency ended in 2008, provincial governments reinstated the office of Divisional Commissioner. Subsequently, in 2011 and 2017, the title of DCO was reverted back to Deputy Commissioner in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, respectively. Despite these changes, the office of the Deputy Commissioner lost its previous judicial authority across most of the country, although the District Magistracy continued to operate in the federal capital.

These alterations reflect ongoing efforts to adapt local governance structures in Pakistan, aiming to balance administrative efficiency with judicial oversight. The evolving role of Deputy Commissioners illustrates the complexities of governance in a system that has undergone significant changes in response to political, administrative, and legal challenges over the years.

Notable PAS officers

References

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