The federal secretary (also referred to as the secretary to the Government of Pakistan) is the highest-ranking position in the

Government of Pakistan The Government of Pakistan ( ur, , translit=hakúmat-e pákistán) abbreviated as GoP, is a federal government established by the Constitution of Pakistan as a constituted governing authority of the Administrative units of Pakistan, four provin ...

, occupied by the most senior civil servant in a specific ministry or division. The secretary is the administrative head of that ministry or division and oversees and enforces public policy matters. The authority for the creation of this post solely rests with the

Cabinet of Pakistan Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...

. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the

Pakistan Administrative Service The Pakistan Administrative Service, or PAS ( ur, ) (previously known as the District Management Group or DMG before 1 June 2012) is an elite cadre of the Civil Services of Pakistan. The Pakistan Administrative Service over the years has emerge ...

All promotions and appointments to this rank and post are directly made by the

prime minister of Pakistan The prime minister of Pakistan ( ur, , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam , ) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Paki ...

. The post of federal secretary is equivalent to that of chief secretary of a provincial government (within their respective provinces) and to the rank of General in the

Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army (, ) is the Army, land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the partition of India, Partition of British India, wh ...

, Air Marshal in the

Pakistan Air Force , "Be it deserts or seas; all lie under our wings" (traditional) , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = ...

, and Admiral in the

Pakistan Navy ur, ہمارے لیے اللّٰہ کافی ہے اور وہ بہترین کارساز ہے۔ English language, English: Allah is Sufficient for us - and what an excellent (reliable) Trustee (of affairs) is He!(''Quran, Qur'an, Al Imran, 3:173' ...

. Due to the importance of their respective assignments, there are twelve specific federal secretaries which are considered to be the most vital in the Government of Pakistan. These include the

establishment secretary The Establishment Secretary of Pakistan is the Federal Secretary for the Establishment Division and is in charge of the transfers, postings as well as promotions in the country's civil service. The position holder is a BPS-22 Officer, usually b ...

(responsible for civil service matters),

finance secretary The Finance Secretary () is the administrative head of the Ministry of Finance. This post is held by senior IAS officer of the rank of Secretary to Government of India. T. V. Somanathan is the incumbent Finance Secretary. As a Secretary to Go ...

(responsible for the country's treasury), secretary to the prime minister (responsible for Prime Minister's Office), cabinet secretary (responsible for the Cabinet Division),

interior secretary The United States secretary of the interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior. The secretary and the Department of the Interior are responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land along with natural ...

(responsible for law and order), commerce secretary (responsible for trade),

foreign secretary The secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs, known as the foreign secretary, is a minister of the Crown of the Government of the United Kingdom and head of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Seen as ...

(responsible for foreign relations), maritime secretary (responsible for ports and shipping), power secretary (responsible for the electricity and power sector), planning and development secretary (responsible for development projects), petroleum secretary (responsible for the petroleum sector), and industry secretary (responsible for industrial development).

Powers and responsibilities

The federal secretary is the administrative head of the ministry or division, and oversees all matters of policy and administration within the ministry or /division. The role of secretary is as follows: * To act as the administrative head of the ministry or division. The responsibility in this regard is complete and undivided. * To act as the chief adviser to the prime minister on all aspects of policy and administrative affairs. * To represent the ministry or division before the Standing Committees of the Parliament.

Perception and image

The federal secretaries are the most senior and experienced officers in the country and are largely considered to be the most powerful individuals in the government. Promotion to the rank of federal secretary is regarded as a very tough task given the high level of scrutiny taken into place when the promotions are done by the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB) which is chaired by the prime minister. As the career service of federal secretaries and other

bureaucrats A bureaucrat is a member of a bureaucracy and can compose the administration of any organization of any size, although the term usually connotes someone within an institution of government. The term ''bureaucrat'' derives from "bureaucracy", w ...

are immune to the transition of political governments, they are seen as the real policy-makers who govern the country and serve as the spinal cord for the

establishment Establishment may refer to: * The Establishment, a dominant group or elite that controls a polity or an organization * The Establishment (club), a 1960s club in London, England * The Establishment (Pakistan), political terminology for the military ...

Federal secretary slots

Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan The cabinet secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the federal secretary to the Cabinet of Pakistan. The Cabinet secretary serves as the administrative head of the Cabinet Division, providing policy advice to the prime minister and Cabinet. Usually ...

Principal Secretary to the President of Pakistan The principal secretary to the president of Pakistan is the administrative head of Aiwan-e-Sadr. The position was considered to be a very important one until 2010 as after the Eighteenth Amendment, the presidency was reduced to a mere ceremonia ...

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Pakistan The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Pakistan (also referred to as PSPM or PM's Chief of Staff) is the administrative head and highest-ranking official of the Prime Minister's Office. The position holder is usually an officer belongi ...

Establishment Secretary of Pakistan The Establishment Secretary of Pakistan is the Federal Secretary for the Establishment Division and is in charge of the transfers, postings as well as promotions in the country's civil service. The position holder is a BPS-22 Officer, usually ...

Foreign Secretary of Pakistan The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary, as in all other ministries of Government of Pakistan, is the bureaucratic head of the Ministry, who is a BPS-22 grade officer o ...

Interior Secretary of Pakistan The Interior Secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Interior. As in-charge of the country's law and order machinery, the Interior Secretary is one of the most coveted and sensitive positions in the Government o ...

Finance Secretary of Pakistan The finance secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the federal secretary for the Ministry of Finance. The federal finance secretary is one of the most powerful bureaucrats in the country. Being the boss of the Finance Division, the secretary plays ...

Pakistan Secretary of Economic Affairs The Economic Affairs Secretary of Pakistan , also referred to as Secretary EAD, is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The position of Secretary EAD is considered to be a lucrative slot in the federal government. The positi ...

Maritime Secretary of Pakistan The Maritime Secretary of Pakistan, also referred to as Ports and Shipping Secretary, is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrati ...

Commerce Secretary of Pakistan The Commerce Secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service. The Commerce Secretary is considered to b ...

Petroleum Secretary of Pakistan The Petroleum Secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ) is the Federal Secretary for Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). The officer is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service. The Secretary Petroleum is consid ...

* Power Secretary of Pakistan *

Planning and Development Secretary of Pakistan The Planning and Development Secretary of Pakistan (Urdu: ), also referred to as Secretary P&D, is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Planning and Development. The Secretary P&D plays a key role in the country's economic planning and devel ...

Information Secretary of Pakistan The Information Secretary of Pakistan is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service. The Inf ...

Pakistan Secretary of Defence The Defence Secretary of Pakistan is the Federal Secretary for Ministry of Defence of Pakistan. List of Defence Secretaries See also *Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan *Establishment Secretary of Pakistan *Foreign Secretary of Pakistan The ...

Pakistan Secretary of Water Resources The Water Resources Secretary of Pakistan is the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Water Resources. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service. The Secretary is responsible for ma ...

* Pakistan Secretary of Health * Pakistan Secretary of Information Technology * Pakistan Secretary of Communications * Pakistan Secretary of Education * National Security Division Secretary *

Pakistan Secretary of Industries and Production Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

* Pakistan Secretary of Law *

Aviation Secretary of Pakistan The Aviation Secretary of Pakistan () is the Federal Secretary for the Aviation Division. The position holder is a BPS-22 grade officer, usually belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service. The position of Secretary of Aviation is conside ...

Notable federal secretaries

* Abdul Hamid S.Qa, T.Pk *

Roedad Khan Roedad Khan ( Urdu: روئیداد خان; born 28 September 1923) is a Pakistani politician and former civil servant. He was a leading figure in Pakistan from the start to the end of the Cold War. During his long career, Khan was one of the mo ...

Nargis Sethi Nargis Sethi ( ur, ) is a retired Pakistani civil service officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service who served in BPS-22 grade as the Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Other heavy ...

Tariq Bajwa Tariq Bajwa is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Finance Secretary and Economic Affairs Secretary of Pakistan. Bajwa also served as the 19th Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and the 20th Chairman of th ...

Shehzad Arbab Muhammad Shehzad Arbab is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served as Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Establishment from August 2018 to 10 April 2022. Before his retirement from civil services, Arbab served in BPS-22 grade as the ...

Usman Ali Isani Usman Ali Isani is a former senior Pakistani bureaucrat, educationist and a philatelist. He was born in 1934 in his village Bado of Shikarpur District. He is alumnus of Prince of Wales Royal Military College Dheradhoon. Later, after the Indo-Pak ...

Nasir Mahmood Khosa Nasir Mahmood Khosa is a retired Pakistani civil servant from Dera Ghazi Khan who belonged to the Pakistan Administrative Service and served in BPS-22 grade, the highest attainable rank for a serving officer. He was promoted to the rank of Fed ...

* Rizwan Ahmed *

Azam Suleman Khan Maj (r) Azam Suleman Khan ( ur, میجر (ر) اعظم سلیمان خان ) is a retired Pakistani civil servant who serves as the Ombudsman of Punjab. He previously served in BPS-22 grade as the Interior Secretary of Pakistan, Chief Secreta ...

* Syed Abu Ahmad Akif *

Naveed Kamran Baloch Naveed Kamran Baloch is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Cabinet Secretary and Finance Secretary of Pakistan. Baloch belonged to the Pakistan Administrative Service and was promoted to the rank of Federal Se ...

Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad is a retired Pakistani civil servant who serves as chairman of the Federal Land Commission of Pakistan (with status of a Federal Minister), in office since April 2020. Previously, he served in BPS-22 grade as the Cab ...

Maroof Afzal Maroof Afzal (died 10 December 2020) was a Pakistani civil servant who belonged to the Pakistan Administrative Service and served as the Establishment Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan. Biography He served in BPS-22 grade as the Cabi ...

Shoaib Mir Memon Shoaib Mir Memon is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Education Secretary of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Balochistan. Memon belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service and was promoted to the rank of Fede ...

Mir Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri Mir Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri is a retired Pakistani civil servant of the Pakistan Administrative Service who served in BPS-22 grade as the Establishment Secretary of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Balochistan. Lehri is the most decorated federal secret ...

Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade (highest attainable rank for a serving officer) as the Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan. Sukhera did his Bachelor's degree in Economics from the London Sch ...

Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqi Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqi is a Pakistani civil servant who serves in BPS-22 grade as the Commerce Secretary of Pakistan, in office since July 2020. Faruqi belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service and was promoted to the rank of Federal ...

Sajjad Saleem Hotiana Sajjad Saleem Hotiana ( ur, سجاد سلیم ہوتیانہ) is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as Chief Secretary Sindh. Hotiana also served as Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan and Senior Member Federal Land Commi ...

Raja Muhammad Abbas Raja Muhammad Abbas (born 20 December 1953) is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Federal Secretary Ministry of Interior, Board of Investment, & Ministry of Housing & Works. Interior Secretary of Pakistan and C ...

Mumtaz Ali Shah Mumtaz Ali Shah is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Maritime Secretary of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Sindh. Hailing from Sindh, Shah joined the Pakistan Administrative Service after passing the Central Su ...

Kamran Rasool Kamran Rasool (born April 9, 1948) is a retired Pakistani civil servant belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service who served in BPS-22 grade as the Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan, Chief Secretary Punjab and later on as the Defence Secre ...

Allah Bakhsh Malik Allah Bakhsh Malik is a social scientist, public policy advisor, academic, researcher, and author with experience in management, education and institutional and human development. He served as Secretary for Education during 2017-2019. Malik was c ...

Arshad Sami Khan Arshad Sami Khan (Urdu: ); (January 8, 1942 – June 22, 2009) was a Pakistani diplomat, civil servant and fighter pilot who at peak of his career attained the highest rank of Federal Secretary. He started his career as a Pakistan Air Force f ...

* Irfan Ali *

Shahjehan Syed Karim Shahjehan Syed Karim was a Pakistani civil servant and educator who served in Grade 22, BPS-22 grade as the Information Secretary of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Sindh. He is best known as founder of Institute of Business Management, one of Paki ...

Kamran Lashari Kamran Lashari is a retired Pakistani civil servant of the Pakistan Administrative Service who served in BPS-22 grade as the Petroleum Secretary of Pakistan and Chief Secretary Sindh. Lashari is best known for his five-year stint as chairman of ...

Jawad Rafique Malik Jawad Rafique Malik (Urdu: جواد رفیق ملک) is a Pakistani civil servant who serves in BPS-22 grade as Industries Secretary of Pakistan. Hailing from Lahore, Malik belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service and is batchmates with ...

Sikandar Sultan Raja Sikandar Sultan Raja is a retired Pakistani civil servant who serves as the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, in office since January 2020. He belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service and is batchmates with Rizwan Ahmed, Hussain Asg ...

Qudrat Ullah Shahab Qudrat Ullah Shahab (or Qudratullah Shahab, ur, ; 26 February 191724 July 1986) was an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant from Pakistan. Shahab holds the distinction of having served as the Principal Secretary to three heads o ...

Iqbal Hussain Durrani Iqbal Hussain Durrani is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the National Security Secretary of Pakistan. Durrani belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service and is the son-in-law of former Chief Minister of Si ...

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Ghulam Ishaq Khan ( ur, غلام اسحاق خان; 20 January 1915 – 27 October 2006), was a Pakistani bureaucrat who served as the seventh president of Pakistan, elected in 1988 following Zia's death until his resignation in 1993. He wa ...

Tasneem Noorani Tasneem Noorani is a retired Pakistani civil servant who has served in BPS-22 grade as the Interior Secretary and Commerce Secretary of Pakistan. Education Tasneem attended Pakistan Air Force School Sargodha for high school from 1956 to 1 ...

Fawad Hasan Fawad Fawad Hasan Fawad ( ur, ) (born 14 January 1960) is a retired Pakistani civil servant who served in BPS-22 grade as the Principal Secretary to two Prime Ministers, Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Fawad belongs to the Pakistan Adminis ...

Rabiya Javeri Agha Rabiya Javeri Agha (born Rabiya Adila Javeri on December 2, 1963) is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan and a retired civil servant officer who served in the Government of Pakistan in BPS-22 grade as Federal S ...

* Aftab Ghulam Nabi Kazi *

Sajjad Hasan Sajjad is a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name * Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, Imam Sajjad (Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin), 4th Imam of Shia Islam * Syed Sajjad Haider Yaldram (1880–1943), Urdu short stor ...

* Zafar Hasan * Ghufran Memon

References

{{reflist Civil service of Pakistan Government of Pakistan