Promotion process from grade 18 to 19 in federal bureaucracy stalled for a year

ISLAMABAD: The process of promotion from grade 18 to 19 in the federal bureaucracy remain stalled for one year. Under the promotion policy, a meeting of the Departmental Selection Board (DSB) should be convened twice a year for the promotion of the officers.

The last meeting of the Departmental Selection Board was held on August 6, 2024. Despite the passage of a year, the board has not been convened, which has not only caused anxiety and tension among the officers awaiting promotion, but has also led to an administrative crisis as hundreds of posts of Deputy Secretary and its equivalent are vacant. Establishment Division officials said that around 537 posts of grade 19 in Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service and Secretariat Group are vacant. There are 248 posts in Pakistan Administrative Service, 180 posts in Secretariat Group and 109 posts in Police Service. The vacant posts of deputy secretary are being filled by appointing grade 18 officers from the Promotion Zone. For promotion to grade 19, a minimum of 21 years of combined service in grades 17 and 18 is required. Passing the Mid-Career Management Course is also required. Establishment Division officials said that the 12 years of service of the officers of the 41st Common will complete on October 18 and the board meeting is expected in the last week of October or the first week of November. Establishment Division has finalised the seniority list of grade 18 officers and their annual reports have been received. After the homework is completed, a DSB meeting will be convened, to be chaired by the Establishment Division secretary.