The process of promoting senior civil servants to Grade 22 has remained stalled for the past 15 months, with the long-awaited meeting of the high-powered Selection Board (SB) now expected to be held in the first week of August, according to sources in the Establishment Division.
Sources said the Establishment Division has completed all administrative preparations for the meeting, but is awaiting final approval from the Prime Minister's Office to announce the date.
The last meeting of the high-powered Selection Board was held in March 2025. Since then, promotions from Grade 21 to Grade 22—the highest rank in the federal bureaucracy—have remained on hold, creating uncertainty among senior officers.
According to sources, the prolonged delay has affected a number of officers, with several Grade 21 civil servants and police officers retiring while awaiting consideration for promotion to Grade 22.
The meeting of the High-Powered Selection Board will be chaired by either the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister.
Sources said the board is expected to consider the promotion cases of more than 25 officers from various occupational groups and services. These include eight officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service, six from the Police Service of Pakistan, four from the Secretariat Group, one from the Inland Revenue Service and one from the Information Group, along with officers from other services.
Officials said the promotions could trigger a broader reshuffle within the federal bureaucracy. Following the board's meeting, several high-level appointments and transfers are expected, including changes in the positions of federal secretaries.
Sources added that some ministries may receive new secretaries, while a number of officers currently serving as acting secretaries are likely to be confirmed in their positions on a permanent basis.
No official date for the meeting has yet been announced by the government.