Federal Secretary (Pakistan)

The federal secretary, also known as the secretary to the Government of Pakistan, holds the highest-ranking position within the Government of Pakistan, serving as the most senior civil servant in a specific ministry or division. As the administrative head, the federal secretary is responsible for overseeing and implementing public policy matters, ensuring that the directives of the government are effectively executed within their respective areas of governance.

The authority to create and appoint individuals to this position lies exclusively with the Cabinet of Pakistan. Typically, the federal secretary is a BPS-22 grade officer, often drawn from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), reflecting their extensive experience and expertise in public administration.

The role of the federal secretary is critical in shaping policy decisions and managing the operational functions of their ministry or division, acting as a key link between the political leadership and the civil service. This position entails not only administrative responsibilities but also strategic leadership in addressing national issues and facilitating the implementation of government initiatives.

Promotions and appointments to the rank of federal secretary in Pakistan are made directly by the Prime Minister. This position is on par with that of a chief secretary at the provincial level and holds a rank equivalent to that of a General in the Pakistan Army, an Air Chief Marshal in the Pakistan Air Force, and an Admiral in the Pakistan Navy.

Due to the critical nature of their roles, there are twelve federal secretaries deemed essential within the Government of Pakistan. These include the establishment secretary, who oversees civil service matters; the finance secretary, in charge of the national treasury; the secretary to the prime minister, responsible for the Prime Minister's Office; the cabinet secretary, who manages the Cabinet Division; the interior secretary, tasked with maintaining law and order; the commerce secretary, overseeing trade; the foreign secretary, handling international relations; the maritime secretary, responsible for ports and shipping; the power secretary, managing the electricity and power sector; the planning and development secretary, focusing on development projects; the petroleum secretary, overseeing the petroleum sector; and the industry secretary, responsible for industrial development.

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The federal secretary serves as the administrative leader of a ministry or division, managing all policy and administrative concerns within that entity. The responsibilities of the secretary include:

Functioning as the administrative head of the ministry or division, with complete and unwavering authority in this role.
Acting as the primary advisor to the Prime Minister on all matters related to policy and administration.
Representing the ministry or division in front of the Standing Committees of Parliament.

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Federal secretaries are the highest-ranking and most seasoned officials in Pakistan, often perceived as the most influential figures within the government. Achieving the rank of federal secretary is considered a challenging endeavor due to the rigorous evaluation process conducted by the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB), which is led by the Prime Minister. Since the careers of federal secretaries and other bureaucrats remain unaffected by changes in political administrations, they are regarded as the true architects of policy who effectively govern the country, serving as the backbone of the establishment.

Federal Secretary (Pakistan)

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