ISLAMABAD: The federal government has implemented major reforms to the legal framework governing civil servants through the “Civil Servants Conduct Rules 2026“. Under these rules, there are increased restrictions on government officials regarding their social media use and political involvement.
In an effort to increase accountability, the government has mandated the reporting of assets by all civil servants serving both inside and outside of the country through an exclusive online portal. Civil servants serving at a rank higher than Grade 17 are required to declare their asset information, which will then be verified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Transparency will require that some of this information be disclosed to the public.
The most debatable part of these laws is related to the strict control imposed on civil servants’ social media activities. As per the law, no employee will be able to operate a blog, video blog, or website without prior approval. In addition, it is not permitted to share official information through any social media account. Authorities will also be entitled to request access to private social media accounts of civil servants. Furthermore, civil servants cannot use their official position for self-promotion.
The rules further prohibit civil servants and their families from accepting gifts or benefits that could affect their official duties. If a decision is influenced by an officer’s personal financial interest, they are required to recuse themselves from the process. Additionally, civil servants must seek prior government approval before accepting any foreign awards or titles.
As part of the new conduct regulations, civil servants are also forbidden from participating in political activities or supporting any political group. Public criticism of government policies is now a punishable offense. Furthermore, employees are banned from holding part-time or full-time jobs in private institutions, banks, NGOs, or foreign organizations during their tenure.
The government has stated that these measures are intended to foster integrity, discipline, and punctuality within the civil service and to prevent the leakage of sensitive information. As a result, civil servants are also restricted from publishing any material that could potentially reveal confidential information.
