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Pakistan has introduced a stricter transparency framework as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has expanded the category of government officials required to publicly disclose their assets. The new rules make all declarations accessible to citizens and significantly widen the definition of “public servant,” marking one of the most extensive accountability steps taken in recent years. The move aligns with Pakistan’s commitments under the IMF programme.
According to the new notification SRO 2263, issued on Thursday, asset records of all covered officers will now be open for public review from the moment they join government service. This expands previous laws that applied only to a small group under the Civil Servants Act, 1973.
The updated rules now include officers in BPS-17 and above at federal and provincial levels, employees of autonomous bodies, staff of state owned enterprises, and individuals working in government linked organizations. An official said the aim is to create
“a single, uniform disclosure system across all layers of the public sector,” ensuring consistent standards of accountability.
The only exemption applies to individuals protected under specific clauses of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
Officials maintain that the widened disclosure system is designed to improve transparency, reduce corruption risks and strengthen public trust. The expanded public access to these declarations also meets IMF requirements tied to governance reforms under the ongoing economic programme.
