HPSB meeting not held for 13 months

The meeting of the high-powered selection board (HPSB) for the promotion of bureaucrats to grade-22 has not been held for 13 months.

Besides, the Central Selection Board (CSB) meeting for the promotion of grade-21 and -20 officers was also held seven months ago.

During the Pakistan Democratic Movement regime, the HPSB’s meeting was held on March 2, 2023.
Later, the CSB meeting was held from August 1, 2023 to August 4, 2023.

As a result of the general elections on February 8 this year, the PML-N has completed the process of forming the government including the Senate polls.

The bureaucrats said the board meetings should be held twice a year to consider their promotion.

During the caretaker government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not allow the Establishment Division to convene a meeting of the HPSB for the promotion of officials.

The officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should direct the Establishment Division not to allow any further delay in the process of promotion in the bureaucracy and hold a meeting of the HPSB and CSB immediately.

The last time a meeting of the HPSB was held was in March 2023.

Back then, over 20 officers were promoted from grade-21 to grade-22.

In August, the interim government promoted 26 officers to grade-20, against 243 vacant positions.

The CSB he Board recommended the promotions of 24 PAS officers in BS-21, 26 in BS-20, nine  officers of Police Service of Pakistan in BS-21, 22 in BS-21, 10 officers of Foreign Service of Pakistan in BS-21, 17 in BS-20, one officer of Inter-Services Intelligence in BS-21 and one in BS-20, six officers of Inland Revenue Service in BS-21, 19 in BS-20, six officers of Pakistan Custom Service in BS-21, 20 in BS-20.

The CSB also recommended promotions of 42 ex-cadres officers to grade 20 and 21.

Out of those who could not be promoted, 33 officers were not considered as their assets declaration forms were not brought on the board’s record.