Pakistan’s Civil Service Officers: A Comprehensive Look at Compensation and Benefits

Civil service remunerations in the face of emerging trends in Pakistan, government officials have provided details of the extensive package of perks and privileges granted to CSS officers. The pay scale that has changed from time to time since 1983 is not only the basic wages but also covers numerous incentives such as accommodation, health care, and retirement benefits. Newcomers are recruited at a BPS-17 level for which the minimum pay scale is between 70,000 to 80,000 PKR per month.

The most popular among the civil service groups is the Pakistan Administrative Service which provides postings up to Grade 22 alongside other elite services such as the Police Service and Foreign Services. Promotion comes with huge improvements in cash allowances and more especially perks which are in addition to the annual progression of the basic pay scale. The Office Management Group is limited to the Grade 18; however, offers compensation packages on par with the best that the private sector can offer.

There has also been a clear mapping of the promotion ladder across the services with most groups having opportunities up to grade 21 or 22. Promotions to the next rank on the ladder mean better perks; higher housing allowances of 45% to 55% of the basic pay in addition to special pay that can elevate earnings by 15-20%.

The employees are provided with some of the best packages apart from their wages; they are provided with remunerated accomodation in some of the safest areas and free medical services. Recent study done by PIDE reveals that the government owned houses meant for officers have market value of not less then Rs. 1.45 trillion and annual rent collection is not less then Rs. 10.75 billion. For different segments of BPS 20-22 official vehicles given to senior officers in Islamabad, the write-off is expected to be around Rs. 1.53 billion only for the official vehicles of senior officers.