Pakistan Administrative Service, better known as the PAS, is a general management cadre of the Pakistan's civil services. The officers of this cadre act as managers at district, provincial and finally at the policy-making levels in the highest echelons of the Federal bureaucracy.

History and Genesis

The District Managment Group (now Pakistan Administrative Service) was established as a result of 1973 administrative reforms. The PAS drew its primary membership from the officers of Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP), an All-Pakistan Service (part of the APUG), established in November 1950 in pursuance of an inter-provincial agreement.

Recruitment

Pakistan's federal bureaucracy primarily consists of 12 occupational groups, known by the collective name of Central Superior Services (CSS). They are inducted on merit through competitive examination conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission during the fall of each year. The persons appearing on the top in the merit list, in each of the federating units of Pakistan, usually opt for the PAS. The PAS attracts the best of young brains into its fold, with around 20 young officers getting inducted into the PAS each year (although the number of inductions in the last few years has been around 40).

Function and Responsibilities

The starting point for the PAS officers at the district level is the position of Assistant Commissioner of a subdivision. They are entrusted with general management, administration of the State land, revenue matters, coordination between the government departments and (except in Punjab and Sind) law and order.

At senior levels, the PAS Officer can become Secretary of any of the various federal government divisions like Commerce and Trade, Establishment, Housing, Information Technology etc. Likewise in the provincial governments they act as Secretaries for departments such as Education, Health, Home, Services and General Administration etc. and as Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, and Chief Secretary. The horizontal mobility of the PAS officers ensures wide experience and exposure to the officers who are posted to various command and staff appointments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1:- What is PAS?

It is a group of officers performing management functions at federal, provincial and local level with a unique blend of experience, exposure and practice.

Q2:- What is the historical background of this Group?

This group derives its origin from Indian Civil Services termed as the "Steel frame" of the whole governmental structure. In 1947, ICS became Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS). In 1950, PAS became Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP). Under Civil Servants Act of 1973, twelve groups were created out of which one was named District Management Group. PAS shouldered the responsibility of nation building and policy making at different tiers and was instrumental in early institution building.

Q3:- How far can one excel in PAS?

Young officers join service for managing local affairs and ultimately reach public policy management position. They undertake strategic policy making and higher level management.

Q4:- How many different kinds of training opportunities are offered to PAS officers?

Following different types of training are conducted before assuming office:

a) Common Training Programme (CTP) (6-9 months duration)
b) Specialized Training Programme (STP) (10 months duration)
c) Field attachment with a district (22 weeks)

During their career, the following training programs are a pre-requisite for promotion into next grade:

(i) Mid Career Management Course (MCMC) for promotion into BS-19
(ii) Senior Management Course (SMC) for promotion into BS-20
(iii) National Management Course (NMC) for promotion into BS-21

A number of foreign training courses offered by bilateral agencies are also available to the officers during the course of their careers.

Q6:- What is the post-devolution scope of the service?

With the restructuring of the political and administrative authority after devolution, the service structure of PAS was initially seen to be adversely affected after the abolition of all-powerful positions of ACs, DCs and Commissioners and the abolition of the executive magistracy.
Conversely, the post devolution scenario has shown that the role and scope of the administrative cadres as DCOs and Town Administrators has increased manifolds. So, PAS still remains to be the central and one of the most coveted service group of the Civil Services of Pakistan.

Q7:- What are the threats to this Group?

PAS officers have dual accountability before the law and their political leadership. Besides, current unstable political environment of the country and the inconsistent public policies are also some major factors that pose serious challenges to the service.

Q8:- How do you compare PAS with other cadres especially Police?

Each group of civil service has its own distinctive importance which distinguishes it from others, but PAS has no comparison as the members of this group occupy the senior most positions in bureaucracy. In PSP, the prospects of promotion are good upto BPS-20 and there is one ultimate task i.e., maintenance of law and order. While PAS officers are the real policy makers at all levels and they deal with larger issues and get to paint a bigger picture eventually.

Q9:- What are the advantages of joining PAS?

This Group provides an opportunity of public service with an access to the marginalized segments of society. It offers versatility in nature of tasks/duties performed during the service along with both vertical and horizontal career progression. In Short, PAS is the interface of government at the field level.

Q10:- How secure is this job?

PAS has adopted the role of permanent executive at district, provincial and federal level. It is a very secure career as it has undergone various reforms but its place remains pivotal in the affairs of governance.

Q11:- What are the prospects for females to join this group?

In this globalized world, the role of Pakistani women needs to be mainstreamed. By joining PAS, females can not only become a part of highest level public sector management but can also contribute in the national policy making.

Q12:- What are the perks and privileges for officers of this Group?

The perks and privileges of officers vary from post to post and grade to grade. The officers are entitled to salary and allowances as per government scales and rules. Transport is provided in most cases to the officers or at least pick and drop facility is provided after an officer completes training.

Q13:- What are the prospects for promotion in the PAS?

The prospects for promotion are very high and the promotion of the PAS officers is very rapid as compared to other occupational groups. The details are as follows:

Requirement for promotion to:

BS-18: Min 5 years of service termination of Probation and passing of Deptt. Exam
BS-19: 12 years of service, MCMC and eligibility score of 60 in PERs
BS-20: 17 years of service, SMC and eligibility score of 70 in PERs
BS-21: 22 years of service, NMC / NDC and eligibility score of 70 in PERs
BS-22: Selected from amongst BS-21 officers of APUG

Q14:- Can PAS officers be posted outside the country?

Yes, PAS officers can be posted outside Pakistan if they are selected for work in Pakistani embassies abroad as Commercial Counselors, etc.

Civil Services Academy

BS-22: Selected from amongst BS-21 officers of APUG
Please elaborate the term APUG

APUG stands for All Pakistan Unified Grades and is comprised of PSP, DMG and Secretariat Group.When OMG officers reach to grade19 then they become a part of SG.

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A person can get success through 3C's.
Commitment, Consistency and Courage

so you me to say that a PSP officer when reached at grade 22 can become a provincial or federal secretory????

a psp officer can only become a secretary if he is inducted into the secretariat group but now a days since every rule and regulation is being flouted so any one with political backing can become secretary irrespective of his cadre or mode of entry in service if he has strong political backing

a psp officer can only become a secretary if he is inducted into the secretariat group but now a days since every rule and regulation is being flouted so any one with political backing can become secretary irrespective of his cadre or mode of entry in service if he has strong political backing.............. Well said by orangeemperor25

__________________
A person can get success through 3C's.
Commitment, Consistency and Courage

Anyone please guide about the subjects for pakistan administrative service. Currently i am going with political science, constitutional law, indo pak history, public administration. Am i right in my selection or not?

somebody please reply

Azka firstly,this is not the right thread to ask about your optional subjects. Secondly, there are no right or wrong subjects for CSS. The only "right" subjects are the ones that enable you to clear the exam with marks enough to get the group of your choice and the ones that go with your knowledge or academic base. As far as your optional subjects are concerned, public ad and c.law are good. Reconsider indo pak and pol science.

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It is not the ability but desire that creates success....!!

SORRY for wrong posting and thanks for your kind opinion.