Pakistan Introduces Sweeping New Conduct Rules for Civil Servants
By Muhammad Awais :
The Pakistan government has approved a major overhaul of regulations governing public officials, introducing the Civil Servants Conduct Rules 2026 in a move aimed at tightening accountability and reinforcing neutrality within the bureaucracy.
The revised framework, issued by the Establishment Division under the Civil Servants Act 1973, replaces decades-old provisions and sets out stricter standards of behaviour for federal employees.
Under the new rules, civil servants are prohibited from using their official positions for personal benefit, with mandatory asset declarations forming a central component of the updated system. Officers in Grade 17 and above will now be required to submit annual details of their assets in an effort to strengthen financial transparency.
The regulations also impose tighter restrictions on public communication, particularly on social media, where officials are barred from expressing views that could contradict government policy or official positions.
Limits have been expanded on accepting gifts, engaging in additional employment and participating in political activities. Civil servants are explicitly forbidden from taking part in political affairs or making statements that could be interpreted as support for or opposition to political actors or state policies.
The new code further restricts officials from publishing material that could reveal sensitive or classified information, including memoirs or writings related to their service, citing the need to protect state confidentiality.
In addition, government employees are no longer permitted to hold positions or maintain affiliations with private sector organisations, including companies, financial institutions, trusts or non-profits, during their tenure.
Officials say the changes are intended to ensure impartiality in public service and to prevent conflicts of interest between state responsibilities and private or political engagements.
With the introduction of the new rules, the earlier conduct framework dating back to 1964 has been formally withdrawn, although authorities have clarified that any ongoing proceedings initiated under the previous system will continue under existing legal provisions.
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