Grade 22 promotions delayed as selection board meeting awaits PM's nod

The long-awaited promotions from Grade 21 to Grade 22 in the federal bureaucracy remain stalled as the meeting of the High-Powered Selection Board (HPSB) has yet to be convened, delaying promotions to the country's highest civil service grade.

According to sources, the Establishment Division has completed all administrative preparations for the meeting. However, the formal schedule will only be issued after receiving instructions from the Prime Minister's Office.

The last meeting of the High-Powered Selection Board was held in March 2025, nearly one year and three months ago. Since then, the process of promoting senior civil servants to Grade 22 has remained on hold.

Sources said the Establishment Division has already forwarded the panels of officers falling within the promotion zone to the Prime Minister's Office for approval. The meeting will be chaired by either the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the board is expected to consider the promotion of seven officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), five officers from the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), one officer each from the Secretariat Group, Inland Revenue Service, and Information Group to Grade 22.

Overall, more than 30 officers from various occupational groups and services are expected to be promoted to Grade 22, subject to the board's approval.

Sources said that the meeting is also likely to take decisions regarding the appointments and transfers of some of the officers promoted to the highest grade.

Promotions to Grade 22 are considered highly significant as they determine eligibility for appointments to key administrative and policymaking positions in the federal government. The prolonged delay has left several important senior-level postings awaiting decisions.