Pakistan has replaced its civil service conduct framework with a sweeping new code, introducing public asset disclosures, social media controls and cryptocurrency declarations for the first time.
The Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules 2026 supersede the 1964 rules and impose far stricter financial, ethical and digital accountability standards on all government officers above Grade 17.
Asset disclosures made public
Under the 1964 framework, asset declarations by senior civil servants were filed internally and kept entirely confidential from public scrutiny or independent review.
The 2026 rules now require officers in BPS-17 and above to submit annual declarations digitally by 30 October, which authorities will then make public after redacting confidential personal information.
FBR will conduct risk-based verification of all declarations, and officers may be required to explain any omissions, misstatements or unexplained increases in personal wealth.
For the first time, civil servants must disclose virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, alongside bank accounts, shares, securities, insurance policies and jewellery valued at Rs5 million or more.
Conflict of interest rules
The new code introduces a comprehensive conflict-of-interest regime requiring officers to disclose personal or family interests that could compromise or influence their official duties.
Civil servants must now formally recuse themselves from procurement, selection and any other official decision-making processes in which a personal or family conflict of interest arises.
Social media and online activity
The 1964 rules contained no provisions on digital conduct; the 2026 code addresses this gap with extensive new controls on the online and social media activity of the civil servants.
Officers may not, without prior approval, own or manage websites, podcasts, blogs, YouTube channels or any similar online platforms that could be linked to their official capacity.
Civil servants are also barred from using personal social media to publicise official work, government facilities or entitlements for purposes of personal image-building or self-promotion.
Cadre Administrators are empowered under the new rules to require any officer to disclose the full list of social media accounts held in that officer’s name.
Gifts, hospitality and lifestyle scrutiny
The new rules prohibit civil servants and their family members from accepting gifts from any individual, company, foreign government or diplomat, except as permitted under the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Act, 2024.
Officers are equally barred from offering gifts to superior officers where such an act could reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to obtain favours or preferential treatment.
The code also states that civil servants must not live beyond their declared means, and expenditure on weddings or social functions may attract official scrutiny if deemed extravagant.
Private-sector employment and approved work
Officers who take up private-sector employment during sanctioned Extraordinary Leave must now obtain prior government approval before commencing any such outside work or engagement.
Upon returning to government service, those officers must refrain for 3 years from participating in any official matter directly involving their former private-sector employer.
The rules permit officers to undertake approved teaching, consultancy or professional work, provided it does not affect duties; 1/25th of earnings must be deposited into the national treasury.
Other key provisions
Civil servants must immediately report any criminal case or personal arrest to their Cadre Administrator, and they are prohibited from filing frivolous complaints against fellow government colleagues.
Officers may not approach foreign missions or donor agencies to seek overseas visits, postings or training opportunities for their own personal benefit without official authorisation.
The federal government has empowered itself to extend the 2026 rules to autonomous bodies, regulatory authorities, universities and state-owned enterprises across Pakistan.
Any violation of the new code will be treated as misconduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, exposing officials to formal disciplinary proceedings.
