Pakistan Administrative Services Group CSS

Pakistan Administrative Service is the general administrative group of the Government of Pakistan. It was formerly called as the District Management Group. The officers this group act managers at district, provincial and at the policy-making levels in the Federal Bureaucracy. From district administration to the highest levels of policymaking in the Federal Government, this group plays the most pivotal part in running the entire country. This group over the years has emerged as the most consolidated and developed post-colonial institution in Pakistan. The PAS Officers of grade 22 are often seen as stronger than the federal government ministers. It is the only group in the history of Pakistan’s bureaucracy which enjoys an unparallel level of unity in its ranks.

Education Required for Recruitment in the PAS Group

Minimum graduation with at least 2nd Division.

Age Limit

21 years to 30 years (2 years relaxation for government officials)

Method of Recruitment Into PAS Group

Officers in the PAS group are recruited through CSS Exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission. They are recruited as 17-grade officers.

How Many Candidates are Recruited in the PAS Group

Each year, a fresh batch of 35-40 young PAS officers is recruited through a highly transparent and fiercely competitive exam, known as Central Superior Service (CSS) examination. Though, exam is conducted for recruitment of officers in Twelve Superior Services in Pakistan, about 97% candidates compete for the PAS. Of the about 20000 bright candidates each year, only around 35 make it to the Pakistan Administrative Service by acquiring the highest marks in the four stage CSS selection process that includes a Written Exam of 12 papers (6 compulsory and 6 optional subjects), a set of psychological and intelligence tests, viva exam and strong medical fitness tests. After recruitment, they are further subjected to a session of intense training at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore, Pakistan.

Starting Salary of a PAS Officer

Starting salary of a PAS officer is about Rs. 60000-70000

Promotion of PAS Officers from BS-17 to BS-18 and Above

For promotion in bureaucracy, the new promotion rules 2019 have been introduced. All the instruction regarding promotion policy from Establishment Division has been cancelled. Now, all the officers are promoted by new civil servants promotion rules 2019.

Criteria for Promotion of PAS Officers From BS-17 to BS-18 and Above

According to the promotion rules 2019, the PAS officers are promoted as follows

• Promotion from BPS-17 to BPS-18 required 5 years experience in civil service.
• Promotion from BPS-18 to BPS-19 required 12 years experience in civil service
• Promotion from BPS-19 to BPS-20 required 17 years experience in civil service
• Promotion from BPS-20 to BPS-21 required 22 years experience in civil service
• Promotion from BPS-21 to BPS-22 required 25 years experience in civil service

The Perks and Privileges Available To The PAS Officers

There are numerous perks and privileges of being a PAS officer in Pakistan. The perks and privileges of PAS officers vary from post to post and grade to grade. Usually, the perks and privileges which are available to the PAS officers include residence and transportation. They are also granted salary and allowances as per government scales and rules.

Furthermore, they are granted with the control and management of the entire tehsil as Assistant Commissioner and district as Deputy Commissioner respectively. They also enjoy faster and larger promotions than the other groups in bureaucracy. At the position of Secretary, PAS Officers have the power to be the policy makers and play an active role in ensuring that they give back to their country and people. The PAS Group CSS has assumed the role of permanent executive at district, provincial and federal level. They also enjoy medical attendance, authority and protocol.

Hierarchy and Functions

After qualifying CSS exam and completing training from Civil Service Academy, the PAS officers are recruited as 17-grade Assistant Commissioner (AC) at tehsil level, Section officer in Federal Secretariat, Assistant Political Assistant (APA) and Assistant Director of Federal / Provincial Department. At 17-grade level, they are entrusted with general management, administration of the State land, revenue matters, coordination between the government departments and law and order.

When promoted to 18-grade, they are appointed as Deputy Secretary to provincial department, Senior Section officer in Federal Secretariat, Deputy Commissioner or Additional Deputy Commissioner at district level, and Deputy Director of a Federal/ Provincial Department

Similarly, when are they promoted to 19-grade, they are appointed as Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Additional Secretary to Provincial Government, and Additional Commissioner of a division.

Moreover, when they are promoted to 20-grade, they appointed as Joint Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Secretary to Provincial Government, Provincial member of Board of Revenue, Commissioner of Administrative Division, and Director- General of Federal Department.

Additionally, when they are promoted to 21-grade, they work as Acting Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Additional Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Additional Chief Secretary to Provincial Government, Senior member of Board of Revenue, Commissioner of large Administrative Division, and Chairman of Federal Organizations

Finally, when promoted to 22-Grade, they work as Federal Secretary, Chief Secretary to Provincial Government, Director-General of Federal Agency, and Managing Director of Autonomous Public Corporation