By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD — The federal government has taken a major decision regarding NOCs and permits previously issued to government officers.
The federal government immediately withdrew all relevant NOCs and permissions previously granted to public servants.
Officers belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), Secretariat Group (SG), and Office Management Group (OMG) will be affected by this decision.
The Cabinet Secretariat Establishment Division issued a formal office memorandum regarding the systemic revocation.
According to the memorandum, all NOCs issued under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 are considered immediately withdrawn.
NOCs issued under Rules 6, 16, 18, 20, 21, and 22 of the 1964 conduct rules have been revoked alongside permits issued under other relevant clauses.
According to the Establishment Division, officers seeking fresh permissions must submit new applications.
Officers will now apply afresh under the newly enacted Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2026.
The order is implemented with immediate effect starting August 10, 2026.
All permissions obtained under the legacy conduct rules stand canceled, making fresh NOCs under the 2026 rules mandatory.
Prior permissions acquired for private businesses, employment, or other similar activities will also require fresh approval.
What This Means for the Common Reader
Increases Government Transparency: Top bureaucrats (like police chiefs and assistant commissioners) who held side businesses or external jobs under old exemptions must now undergo strict new scrutiny, reducing potential conflicts of interest.
Higher Accountability: Officials can no longer rely on decade-old permissions to justify outside financial activities or private engagements.
Streamlined Public Service: By clamping down on secondary private work, civil servants are expected to focus more directly on their primary public administration duties, leading to better public service delivery for everyday citizens.
